Heisman Trophy watch: How does the Georgia Tech loss impact UNC QB Drake Maye?

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye had his worst game of the season against Georgia Tech when arguably the most Heisman Trophy voters were fixated on him. Historically speaking, it has already impacted his chances of winning, but maybe not from being invited to New York as a finalist.

Maye was held to season lows with 16 completions and 202 yards passing in the Tar Heels’ 21-17 loss to the Yellow Jackets. It was the only game he didn’t have a touchdown pass and he also threw his fourth interception of the season.

UNC coach Mack Brown recalled when, as the coach of Texas, quarterback Colt McCoy stumbled against Nebraska. Brown said they didn’t have anyone who could block defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh as the Longhorns struggled to a 13-12 win.

“That was right before the votes came out so that killed it because he didn’t have a great performance that night,” Brown said. “We won the game, we went to the national championship, but that killed it. Vince Young didn’t have his best performance against (Texas) A&M and Reggie Bush had his great game against Fresno State and then the next week Reggie has a great game against UCLA and they beat them 73-13 or something. We beat Colorado 70-3, but still, people get in their mind.”

All it takes is one bad game to derail Heisman Trophy hopes and Maye had his. But he can make a fresh impression Friday against N.C. State.

Heisman voters will receive their ballots on Monday and the ballots are due by Dec. 5. Ultimately, Maye will have two games to solidify his chances.

How he performs against the Wolfpack and Clemson on Dec. 3 in the ACC championship game — the Pack rank 21st nationally in total defense and the Tigers are 18th — could change the perception of Maye that the loss to Georgia Tech ruined.

If he falls short of being one of the four players invited to the award ceremony, Brown said this process has already been a boon to UNC.

“Drake has given our program and the University of North Carolina more publicity in the last 10-11 weeks, than you can buy,” Brown said. “It’s unbelievable how much attention — he’s being interviewed on (ESPN’s) Gameday and SportsCenter and you can’t pay for that stuff. It’s too expensive.”

Key Heisman Trophy dates

Nov. 28: Heisman Ballots are distributed to electors.

Dec. 5: Deadline for Heisman ballots to be submitted.

(Evening of) Dec. 5: The 2021 Heisman finalists announced.

Dec. 10: Heisman Trophy Ceremony on ESPN

Oddsmakers

According to VegasInsider.com’s consensus odds, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is the favorite to win the Heisman. Maye is seventh on the list.

This story was originally published November 23, 2022 at 6:40 AM.

C.L. Brown

The News & Observer

C.L. Brown covers the University of North Carolina for The News & Observer. Brown brings more than two decades of reporting experience including stints as the beat writer on Indiana University and the University of Louisville. After a long stay at the Louisville Courier-Journal, where he earned an APSE award, he’s had stops at ESPN.com, The Athletic and even tried his hand at running his own website, clbrownhoops.com.