Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC football helmet stickers vs Georgia State Panthers

By Nick Delahanty

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 11: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drops back to pass against the Georgia State Panthers during the first half of the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 11: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drops back to pass against the Georgia State Panthers during the first half of the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 11: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels warms up before a game against the Georgia State Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 11: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels warms up before a game against the Georgia State Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Sam Howell

Sam Howell certainly took his fair share of criticism after the Tar Heels’ loss to Virginia Tech just a week ago.

Being viewed as a possible Heisman Trophy contender entering the season, Howell had one of his worst performances as the starting quarterback for the UNC football program. Although the Tar Heels didn’t do much to help him, Howell threw three interceptions and was sacked numerous times.

Even though it was just one game, it was a performance that made many people fully take the Indian Trail, North Carolina native out of the Heisman discussion. Looking to silence the critics, Howell was very impressive in his return to Chapel Hill.

Thanks to the third-year signal-caller, the Tar Heels’ offense got going early and didn’t slow down. On North Carolina’s first drive, Howell scored on a 22-yard scramble, and followed it up on the next drive by connecting with Antoine Green for a 57-yard score. Howell would add two more passing touchdowns as well as another rushing score, the latter from 62 yards out.

Overall, Howell completed 21-of-29 passes for 352 yards. He also made a major impact in the run game, as he carried the ball 11 times for a team-high 104 yards.

This was the type of performance that shows why Sam Howell is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the entire country. With North Carolina needing a bounce-back victory, the team’s leader was able to pave the way to victory.

Home/UNC Football