North Carolina defeats FAMU in college football opener
By Robert Willett
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes to Bryson Nesbit (18) in the second quarter on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Robert Willett
rwillett@newsobserver.com
Coach Mack Brown and the Tar Heels defeated Florida A&M 56-24 in Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday night, Aug. 27, 2022 in a game that almost didn’t happen.
FAMU players voted Friday to play the game, despite a roster depleted by eligibility issues for several players. Only eight offensive linemen made the trip.
Tar Heel quarterback Drake Maye started at quarterback and threw for five touchdowns in his debut.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown enters the field with his players for their game against Florida A&M on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) breaks open for a 42-yard gain in the first quarter on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) takes a hit from Florida A&M linebacker Isaiah Major (0) after a 42-yard gain in the first quarter on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Desmond Evans (10) and Noah Taylor (7) sack Florida A&M quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) for a nine yard loss in the first quarter on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolinas Omarion Hampton (28) picks up 11 yards as he hurdles over Florida A&Ms Johnny Chaney Jr. (28) in the first quarter on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina coach Mack Brown checks the replay after a touchdown in the second quarter against Florida A&M on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolinas George Pettaway (23) breaks through the line for a 12-yard gain in the second quarter against Florida A&M on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolinas Omarion Hampton (28) picks up 18 yards in the second quarter against Florida A&M to set up a touchdown on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes to Bryson Nesbit (18) in the second quarter on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolinas Bryson Nesbit (18) scores a touchdown on a 23-yard pass completions from quarterback Drake Maye in the first quarter against Florida A&M on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolinaís Gavin Blackwell (2) picks up 12 yards against Florida A&Mís Love Jenkins (1) after a pass from quarterback Drake Maye in the second quarter on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes to Josh Downs in the first quarter against Florida A&M on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) congratulates the kicking unit after an extra point in the first quarter against Florida A&M on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) breaks open for a 42-yard gain in the first quarter against Florida A&M on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolinas Josh Downs (11) breaks away from Florida A&Ms Kendall Boehler (3) for a 13-yard gain on a pass from quarterback Drake May in the first quarter on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Florida A&Ms KymMani King (4) breaks up a pass intended for North Carolinas Bryson Nesbit (18) in the fourth quarter on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Florida A&M quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) is pressured by North Carolinas Kaimon Rucker (25) in the fourth quarter on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolinas Elijah Green (21) breaks away from Florida A&Ms Timothy Williams Jr. (6) for a 46-yard gain in the fourth quarter on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Florida A&M fans celebrate after a touchdown in the third quarter against North Carolina on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolinas Elijah Green (21) breaks away from Florida A&Ms Timothy Williams Jr. (6) for a 46-yard gain in the fourth quarter on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolinas Chis Collins (17) celebrates the Tar Heels 56-24 victory over Florida A&M with teammate during the playing of the Alma Mater on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolinas Chis Collins (17) celebrates the Tar Heels 56-24 victory over Florida A&M with teammate during the playing of the Alma Mater on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina coach Mack Brown congratulates quarterback Drake Maye (10) following the Tar Heels 56-24 victory over Florida A&M on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Maye passed for 294 yards and five touchdowns in the victory. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
