Keeping It Heel
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UNC Football: Heartbreaking helmet stickers after NC State loss

By Nick Delahanty

Nov 26, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) throws a pass during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) throws a pass during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs the ball during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs the ball during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Sam Howell

Sam Howell deserved a better outcome than the one the UNC football program had at the end of Friday night’s contest.

If I was a betting man (which I’m not) I would assume that this was the last time Sam Howell will suit up as a member of the UNC football program. Even if the Tar Heels get a bowl game, Howell will likely follow the lead of guys like Javonte Williams, Michael Carter and Chazz Surratt, as those guys did not suit up in a bowl game that actually had some importance to it.

As he’s done many times in his Tar Heel career, Howell led this team and put them on his back. In this instance, Howell was more lethal with his legs than his arm, but his playmaking ability was on display throughout the entire contest.

His 147 passing yards don’t seem like a lot, but it was enough to get him into the 10,000-yard passing club, making him just the eighth ACC quarterback ever to accomplish the feat.

On the ground, Howell carried the ball 18 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns. The use of his legs created opportunities for the North Carolina offense, especially when the offensive line was struggling mightily in pass-blocking situations.

The outcome didn’t go as planned, but we all saw again why Sam Howell is such a special football player. He is a tough competitor who lays it all on the line on every single play, and always gives his best effort in hopes of helping his team succeed.

There are a handful of very good quarterbacks throughout the country, but I can honestly say that there is no one I’d rather have leading this Tar Heels team than Sam Howell.

If this is, in fact, the end of his UNC career, I am sure glad I got to witness it.

Well, that will wrap up our regular season helmet sticker honors. It has been a roller coaster for sure, but we’re hopeful that there is a bowl game on the way so we can hand out some more helmet stickers before we wrap up the season!

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