A deep dive into the Tar Heels' thrilling victory over Florida A&M
UNC's offense sputters in the first half
The Tar Heels' offense struggled to find its footing in the first half against Florida A&M. Quarterback Drake Maye was just 10-of-18 for 128 yards and an interception, and the running game was held to just 57 yards on 16 carries. UNC's only points in the first half came on a 24-yard field goal by Noah Burnette.
UNC's defense comes up big
While the offense struggled, UNC's defense kept the Tar Heels in the game. The defense forced three turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble recovery. The defense also held Florida A&M to just 191 yards of total offense.
UNC's offense comes alive in the second half
The Tar Heels' offense finally found its rhythm in the second half. Maye threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns, and the running game added 125 yards on 18 carries. UNC scored 24 points in the second half to pull away from Florida A&M.
The Tar Heels avoid a season-opening disaster
UNC's victory over Florida A&M was a much-needed win for the Tar Heels. After a disappointing 6-7 season in 2022, UNC needed to get off to a good start in 2023. The victory over Florida A&M gives the Tar Heels some momentum heading into their ACC opener against Georgia State next week.
Here are some additional takeaways from the game:
* Maye showed some flashes of brilliance, but he also made some mistakes. He needs to be more consistent if UNC is going to have success this season.
* The running game was a pleasant surprise. The Tar Heels averaged 4.4 yards per carry against Florida A&M.
* The defense played well, but it will be tested more in the coming weeks when UNC faces tougher competition.
* The Tar Heels have a lot of potential, but they need to clean up some of their mistakes if they want to be a contender in the ACC.
