Maye Throws 5 TDs, UNC Routs FAMU

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — UNC quarterback Drake Maye threw five touchdown passes as the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrated head coach Mack Brown’s 71st birthday with a season-opening  56-24 win against the Florida A&M Rattlers at Kenan Memorial Stadium.

Florida A&M entered the weekend with eligibility difficulties that disqualified 25 players, the first-ever clash between the two football teams, and UNC’s first week zero game was in doubt on Friday. Despite eligibility issues, the Rattlers put on a strong effort in Chapel Hill on Saturday night.

Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons said in a statement that the club first made the decision to sit out the game after finding out Thursday night that half of its offensive linemen, including three others who are injured, were found to be ineligible.

AJ Davis caught a touchdown ball from Jeremy Moussa that was thrown 17 yards during the Rattlers’ scoring drive at the end of the first quarter. The first quarter ends with a 7-7 tie at 3:21.

A defense headed by linebackers Cedric Gray (Jr./Charlotte, NC) and Power Echols (So./Charlotte, NC) was tenacious for much of the game. The offensive standouts were quarterback Drake Maye (Fr./Huntersville, NC) and wide receiver Josh Downs (Jr./Suwanee, Ga).

Drake Maye made his first career start, earning the nod from head coach Mack Brown heading into the weekend. Maye broke off on a 42-yard dash that helped set up a 19-yard touchdown pass to Kamari Morales. 

Gavin Blackwell caught a touchdown pass from Maye on fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line, Maye’s third throwing score of the contest.

The  1-yard touchdown run gave UNC a 35-14 lead eight minutes into the second half. With 7:41 remaining in the third quarter, Jose Romo-Martinez made a 35-yard field goal to reduce UNC’s advantage to 35-17. 

With 1:18 remaining in the third, FAMU quarterback Jeremy Moussa completes a 22-yard touchdown pass to Trevonte Davis. 35-24 in UNC’s favor. With 25 of 33 passes completed, Moussa has 26.

UNC’s defense was led by Power Echols’ nine tackles (eight solos, two for loss). However, the Heels struggled on that side of the ball as they allowed 216 total offensive yards in the first half, including 181 passing yards.

Power Echols caused a fumble in the fourth quarter, which DeAndre Boykins recovered on the FAMU 27-yard line to give the Tar Heels the ball back. With 12:37 left, Maye extended UNC’s advantage to 49-24 by connecting with Downs on a 27-yard touchdown throw on the first play following the fumble leading to their victory.

The Tar Heels will look to keep their winning ways going next week as they travel to Appalachian State on September 3rd at 12:00 PM.