UNC Football: Sam Howell makes history against Georgia State

Saturday’s home opener against Georgia State is just what the UNC Football program needed.

After opening the season with a disappointing loss to Virginia Tech a week ago, the Tar Heels had a “get right” game by hosting the Panthers. Or at least they hope it was a “get right game”. UNC led from the start in this one and ended up blowing out Georgia State to get their first win of the new campaign.

And a big reason was quarterback Sam Howell.

The junior bounced back after a disappointing opener against Virginia Tech by completing 21 of 29 attempts for 352 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. He also added 104 rushing yards on 11 carries and 2 touchdowns. That stat line made program history for the quarterback as he became the second quarterback in UNC history to throw for over 300 yards and rush for over 100 yards joining Marquise Williams via Gregory Hall of Inside Carolina:

Howell’s game was impressive as he looked sharp early and often. He opened up the game with a 22-yard rushing touchdown and then connected with Antoine Green for a 57-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. He then added touchdown passes to Emery Simmons and Josh Downs in the game and then capped it off with a 62-yard touchdown run to extend UNC’s lead.

The quarterback was pulled in the fourth quarter, allowing sophomore Jacolby Criswell to play the rest of the game.

Saturday was a good sign for UNC fans as Howell looked like the quarterback we have seen for the past two years rather than last Friday. But the test gets tougher next week as the Tar Heels take on a 2-0 Virginia team in Chapel Hill.

For more on Howell and the UNC Football program, please make sure to check back with Keeping It Heel.