Without Sam Howell, UNC relies on its backups to overwhelm Wofford on senior day

The North Carolina Tar Heels got a glimpse at their quarterback future Saturday while honoring their soon-to-be past.

With record-setting junior quarterback Sam Howell in street clothes due to an upper body injury, sophomore Jacolby Criswell and freshman Drake Maye stepped into the breach to direct a 34-14 triumph against Wofford that made the Tar Heels bowl eligible.

The pair combined for 214 passing yards, 104 yards rushing, accounted for two touchdowns, and more importantly didn’t commit a turnover while playing one half each. They had plenty of support from a ground game that churned out 305 yards, led by seniors British Brooks (89 yards) and Ty Chandler (78).

UNC coach Mack Brown said he was informed by the team’s medical staff Saturday morning that Howell would not be available. The school record holder for total offense, passing yardage, passing touchdowns and touchdowns accounted for is still nursing an upper body injury suffered in a loss against Pittsburgh on November 11. Howell’s absence Saturday ended a 35-game streak of starts dating back to his freshman season.

”I thought, ‘Do I put him in a play or a series,’ which would not have been smart if someone hit him,’‘ Brown said. “We decided to keep him well so he’ll be ready to go Friday.’‘

The Tar Heels close out the regular season next Friday in Raleigh against arch rival N.C. State.

The Terriers, a Football Championship Subdivision program with nine straight losses entering Saturday, proved the perfect foe for Criswell’s first career start as opposed to Howell’s opener against South Carolina back in 2019. The former four-star recruit from Morrilton, Arkansas, completed his first three passes for 21 yards and ran twice for 17 more to spark an 82-yard scoring drive on the game’s opening possession. Criswell capped the march with a 1-yard touchdown run that gave UNC a lead it wouldn’t relinquish on a cool, sun-drenched fall afternoon at Kenan Stadium.

”On Thursday during the walk-though, coach (Mack Brown) told me, ‘Would you rather South Carolina be your first game or Wofford?’’’ Criswell said. “I didn’t really care what team it was. I’m going to perform the way I perform.’‘

With Criswell completing 11 of 19 passes for 125 yards and rushing five times for 66 more yards, the Tar Heels rolled to a 20-7 halftime advantage.

Maye, son of former UNC quarterback Mark Maye and brother of ex-Tar Heel basketball star Luke Maye, took over in the second half. He promptly orchestrated two straight scoring drives, contributing six completions for 43 yards and running three times for 18 yards. Maye tossed the first touchdown pass of his career on the second series, finding tight end Kamari Morales for a 4-yard throw with 55 seconds left in the third quarter to give UNC a 34-7 lead.

North Carolina scored twice in three possessions with Maye running the offense in the second half and were denied on the third by Wofford at the 1-yard line. Maye finished 7-9 passing for 89 yards and added 38 yards on four carries.

”Just to get out there on that first drive and end up with a touchdown was exciting,’‘ Maye said. “I haven’t been hit in a game since my high school days about two years ago, so it just felt good to be out there.’‘

While his backups took center stage, Howell was among 22 players introduced in pre-game ceremonies honoring departing seniors that included running back Ty Chandler, defensive end Tomon Fox, linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel, offensive tackle Joshua Ezeudu and cornerback Trey Morrison. But it was Howell who received the largest ovation from the student section and a long hug from Brown after emerging from the dressing room tunnel dressed in sweatpants and his No. 7 UNC jersey.

Howell hasn’t publicly stated he won’t return for his senior year at UNC, but he is regarded as one of the top quarterbacks for the 2022 NFL Draft scheduled next April 28-30. ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. rated Howell in October as one of the top five quarterback prospects for the draft, if he declares himself eligible.

Although UNC (6-5) has fallen far shy of preseason expectations that saw it ranked among the nation’s top 10 teams, it has qualified for postseason play for the third straight year under Brown.

”We accomplished what we wanted to and that was to send our seniors out with a win and qualify for a bowl for the third year in a row,’‘ Brown said. “This is the first time since 2016 we’ve gone to three straight bowls. That’s quite an accomplishment for our seniors, who in previous (two) years didn’t go to a bowl game.’‘

Wofford, a member of the Southern Conference, closes its season with a 1-10 mark.

This story was originally published November 20, 2021 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Without Sam Howell, UNC relies on its backups to overwhelm Wofford on senior day."