Mack Brown addresses why Drake Maye was removed from game after big hit vs. Pitt

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye has long been regarded as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate after a scintillating 2022 campaign, but he might have finally hit his stride this fall in a 41-24 win over Pittsburgh.

The game had it all, from a left-handed touchdown pass by Maye to a bone-crushing hit that might have knocked out another quarterback.

The latter occurred early in the second quarter, when Maye dropped back to pass and found John Copenhaver deep down the field for a 40-yard gain. But as he unleashed the pass, Maye was blasted by Pittsburgh defender Dayon Hayes. He had to check out of the game momentarily.

“I got Conner (Harrell) obviously taking snaps and got him in immediately,” coach Mack Brown said. “They said Drake was going to stay in and he couldn’t. When your trainers come on the field, he has to come out for a play.”

North Carolina subbed Maye out and quickly ran it for four yards, getting it down to the 1-yard line. Brown recalled the confusion on the sideline as Maye tried to get back into the game.

“Then (offensive coordinator) Chip (Lindsey) tried to go fast and we were trying to slow him down on the sideline because Drake was ready to go back in,” Brown said. “And we asked Drake, could he run a quarterback sneak right after you got hit, he said, ‘Absolutely, I’m good.'”

Sure enough, Maye plunged into the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, making it 14-14.

He’d stay in the game and deliver more magic just a few moments later.

Facing second-and-4 from the Pittsburgh 7-yard line later in the second quarter, Maye ran to his left and was quickly grabbed at by defensive end Nate Temple. As another defender closed in, Maye swatted off Temple and flicked a left-handed lob to receiver Kobe Paysour for a touchdown pass.

“I think I said that may be the coolest play I’ve ever seen in college football, and I’ve seen a lot of plays,” Brown said. “That was really cool. I’m still shocked he did it. I don’t even know how he got it from his right hand to his left hand and pitched it. It was an unbelievable play.”

Brown continued to praise Drake Maye, his veteran quarterback, who played through the big hit and had a masterful game in the win.

“He makes slippery plays, too,” Brown said. “He can run, he knows now, he’s doing a better job of finding out where that first-down marker is and sliding. I’m just so proud of him.”