Drake Maye explains what he took away from war of words with NC State

Drake Maye has been a North Carolina fan his entire life and grew up with two main rivals. Duke is the obvious one, even if the football rivalry is not too intense. NC State is a big one for the program on the gridiron, with the ACC scheduling the two to play on Thanksgiving weekend.

Before the 2022 matchup, Maye got himself into some trouble by talking down on NC State. He was asked about making those comments recently, admitting it was not the best decision. Maye said he just flashed back to having a fairly common conversation any of us would have with friends while in school.

“It wasn’t my smartest move,” Maye said on the Move The Sticks Podcast. “Just growing up, the Carolina fan inside of me. You’re arguing with a friend at school or something, that’s what you say. It wasn’t my smartest move… I wouldn’t say I regret it, just have to be smarter with words in the media.”

Maye made headlines due to talking about the rivalry, inferring NC State was below North Carolina. He said people who grew up in the state are fans of the Tar Heels until they are not able to get into the school, then move toward the Wolfpack

“Whether you want to admit it or not, growing up in Carolina, you’re going to be a Carolina fan,” Maye said in mid-September. “And you know, some people may say State, but really people who go to State just can’t get into Carolina. At the end of the day, playing for Carolina is a thing a lot of people from North Carolina want to do.”

Unfortunately for Maye, NC State wound up with the last laugh. Maye threw for just 233 yards on 49 attempts, adding in a touchdown and interception. NC State wound up getting a three-point win as well, making it a two-game win streak in the rivalry.

Even with the loss, are his comments something Maye regrets? He says no. Maye chalks it up to another great rivalry in college football. The result itself may sting for the quarterback but not making the remark prior to the game.

“At the same time, it’s a great rivalry. That’s what’s great about college football, these great rivalries. We had a chance to win that game. I think we should have won that game, we were the better team. They just got the best of us.”