Mario Cristobal shares what makes Drake Maye special

The 2-2 Miami Hurricanes host the one-loss North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday afternoon, bringing them up against another one of the nation’s best quarterbacks in Drake Maye. Mario Cristobal discussed Maye ahead of the matchup.

“I don’t think there’s anything (Maye) does bad, quite frankly,” Cristobal told reporters on Wednesday. “He sees the field extremely well. His pocket presence is off the charts. Ball comes out fast, he’s very decisive. If there’s nothing there, if he is in trouble, just an incredible ability to make people miss, keep his eyes up the field and extend the play.

“He’s not afraid to put his head down and run you over, really impressive player.”

So far this season, Maye is seventh among DI quarterbacks in passing yards per game (318). He also boasts one of the best touchdown to interception ratios at 19-to-1.

In North Carolina’s only loss so far this season versus Notre Dame, Maye still threw for five touchdowns. However, the Irish were able to make him uncomfortable, dragging him down for three sacks. The ‘Canes need to get the UNC signal-caller off his spot and try to keep the Tar Heel offense off the field to stay in what’s likely to be a high-scoring game.

Cristobal on UNC’s ‘elite passing attack’

Saturday’s contest is a battle between two offenses headed in separate directions.

The Heels have eclipsed 40 points in four of five games and are seventh in the nation in scoring at 45.4 points per outing. Largely due to their dynamic quarterback and passing game as a whole. Which is ‘Canes coach Mario Cristobal’s biggest point of emphasis heading into Saturday’s matchup. Because for Miami to have any chance at winning, they’ll have to slow down UNC.

“Yeah, they’re an elite passing attack. A lot of juniors and seniors starting for them,” Cristobal reviewed of the Tar Heel offense at a press conference this week.

Mario Cristobal then continued, offering more comprehensive praise for the North Carolina quarterback and his fit in their offense.

“(Maye) gets the ball out quick,” Cristobal said. “He extends drives not only with his arm. He sees the field very well. Tall guy, gets the ball out on time, gets it out before time. So the pass rush doesn’t affect him much. But he knows where to go with the ball. And if protection breaks down, he’s extended plays.

“Made some unbelievable throws and he’s also done a great job with his legs, you know. They’ve run quarterback draw so many different ways. And he’s a long, athletic body and he throws his body around. You saw him over there close to the goal line, going up and, you know, just about doing everything possible to move the sticks. So an excellent football player and one that we have to be at our best to defend.”

On3’s Alex Webb contributed to this report.