North Carolina will make a trip across the state to face Appalachian State on Saturday afternoon, marking the third-ever meeting between the schools. The Tar Heels opened their 2022 campaign with a 56-24 win over Florida A&M in Week 0. This will be the first game of the season for the Mountaineers, who are coming off a 10-4 season.
North Carolina had no problem taking care of business in its season opener against Florida A&M last week, picking up a 56-24 win over the Rattlers. The Tar Heels have a new quarterback under center this season as they are replacing now-NFL quarterback Sam Howell. Redshirt freshman Drake Maye had no issues filling the big shoes last week, throwing five touchdown passes in the blowout win. He became the first quarterback in school history to record five touchdowns in his first career start. Maye was able to spread the ball around against a Florida A&M team that was without 25 players due to eligibility issues, finding 10 different receivers in the game.
Class of 2024…. you're up.
Welcome to the #FlightClub ?? pic.twitter.com/F21craNzOM
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) September 1, 2022
Josh Downs led the way with nine receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns, while Omarion Hampton had 101 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries out of the backfield. Maye finished the day 29 of 37 for 294 yards in a start that head coach Mack Brown called “one of the best first games I’ve ever seen.” The Tar Heels are hoping to improve up front after their offensive line was among the worst in the country in pass protection. They have almost an entirely new starting group, so Saturday’s game should answer some questions. Defensively, North Carolina is also looking to improve under new defensive coordinator Gene Chizik. The Tar Heels regularly got hammered last season, and they gave up 24 points to a low-level school in Week 0.