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Drake Maye becomes first freshman in FBS history with 30 touchdowns through nine games

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater11/06/22

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Grant Halverson | Getty Images

Drake Maye has been outstanding as a redshirt freshman in his role as North Carolina’s starting quarterback. The Huntersville, NC native has played a big part in making the Tar Heel’s offense a Top-10 unit and making the UNC team a Top-15 team to this point of the season. His play has been so good that now it has earned him a spot in the college football record book.

After the Tar Heel’s 31-28 win over Virginia yesterday, Maye now has 31 touchdowns on the season. Per the ACC Network, that is now the most touchdowns by a freshman over his first nine games in FBS history.

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What’s just as impressive is those 31 touchdowns also lead the entire nation in passing TDs. Maye pairs that with nearly 3,000 yards, a 71.2% completion rate, and only three interceptions. He has been surgical this year and the potential he has shown has those in Chapel Hill excited about what he could be in the future.

The most important thing is those numbers have led Maye and the Tar Heels to an 8-1 record on the season. Now, Maye will look to add to those statistics and improve that record even more come next weekend when he and North Carolina hit the road for a Top-25 matchup against Wake Forest.

Mack Brown discusses possible Heisman campaign for Drake Maye

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye had a hot start to his freshman season, which quickly turned into more than just a start. This season Maye has been putting up monster numbers. Not just for a freshman, though, but for anybody.

Head coach Mack Brown was asked about his quarterback’s impressive season so far, and if it was possible to maybe create some more Heisman Trophy buzz around his freshman phenom. 

“I feel like it takes care of itself. Everybody knows (Maye’s) good and he was kind of the hype early. Then people are wondering when he was gonna mess up, there’s a freshman game in there somewhere. And, so far, he hadn’t done that,” Brown said. “So I think he just keeps doing what he’s doing and people keep looking at it and it is what it is.”

“I get amazed that you get so into the game, after the game I see the stats, I see he throws for that many yards and five touchdowns and you just don’t think about it during the game, he makes it look so easy. But I think the award stuff takes care of itself, we’ve just got to keep winning,” said Brown