Freshman quarterback Sam Howell is proving he’s the real deal as he once again leads UNC to a comeback win in the second half
Last week Sam Howell introduced himself to the nation on ESPN by leading a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter to beat South Carolina.
A week later, Howell did it again but this time in front of his home crowd in Kenan Memorial Stadium. In just his second start as quarterback for the Tar Heels, Howell has led his team to another win and did so in impressive fashion.
The Tar Heels got off to a hot start in Saturday night’s home opener vs. Miami, jumping out to a 17-3 lead in the second quarter. That included a 62-yard touchdown pass from Howell to receiver Dazz Newsome for a 10-0 lead.
UNC would extend their lead even more after a Javonte Williams touchdown run and led Miami 17-3 at halftime.
But the Hurricanes battled back and even took the lead at 25-20 with 4:38 left in the game, silencing the large crowd as things looked bleak for the Tar Heels. Then Howell answered the call one more time.
Facing that five-point deficit, Howell led a 9-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that would prove to be the game-winner for the Tar Heels. On the drive, Howell and UNC converted a 4th and 17 from their own 40 yard line, as Rontavius “Toe” Groves hauled in a 20-yard pass. Then five plays later, Howell hit Newsome once again on a beautiful pitch and catch:
It was the second-straight week that Howell led a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter as he’s off to a great start in his Tar Heel legacy. The thing about Howell is, he doesn’t look like a true freshman out there. He’s not getting rattled, he’s not making mistakes that inexperienced players normally make.
Instead, he’s calm and can handle the pressure and his coach is noticing that as well.
“He’s got ice in his veins,” Brown said at his post game presser. “He’s very confident. The weirdest thing about him is he gets sacked and he throws a touchdown pass, and you can’t tell a difference in his demeanor. He’s very similar in both cases. He just kept hanging in there.”
Howell finished the game 16 of 24 for 274 yards with 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. He’s yet to throw a pick on the season and has done a good job of protecting the football for the most part.
With Howell playing at a high level, UNC is knocking on the door for a Top 25 ranking. They received 48 votes in this week’s poll ahead of the matchup with Wake Forest on Friday night.
Now at 2-0, the Tar Heels schedule gets a little tougher beginning with that road game at Wake, then hosting Appalachian State and finally defending National Champion and No. 1 Clemson in three weeks. But if Howell continues to play like this, it will mean good things for UNC.
For more on Howell and the UNC Football program, please check back with Keeping It Heel.