Josh Downs
FILE - Oregon quarterback Bo Nix drops back to pass against Oregon State during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Nov 26, 2022, in Corvallis, Ore. Nix and the No. 15 Oregon Ducks will face Drake Maye and the North Carolina Tar Heels in what’s expected to be a high-scoring Holiday Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 28. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman, File)
Nix, Maye expected to light up Holiday Bowl at Petco Park

By The Associated Press Dec. 27, 2022 03:22 PM EST

North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs (11) makes a catch while covered by Clemson safety Andrew Mukuba (1) in the first half during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Tar Heels WR Downs opts out of Holiday Bowl for NFL leap

Dec. 09, 2022 03:01 PM EST

Duke head coach Mike Elko waves to fans as he walks off the field after earning a victory in Duke's final regular season NCAA college football game against Wake Forest in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Maye, Kancey, Elko, Verse highlight AP All-ACC selections

By Gary B. Graves Dec. 06, 2022 01:25 PM EST

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) looks to pass against North Carolina State behind the block of running back Omarion Hampton (28) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Maye, UNC stand in way of Clemson's 7th ACC title in 8 years

By The Associated Press Dec. 01, 2022 12:10 PM EST

Georgia Tech defensive lineman Keion White (6) breaks up a pass intended for North Carolina running back Elijah Green (21) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
No. 18 UNC, NC State rivalry closes out regular season

Nov. 24, 2022 12:03 PM EST

North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs (11) is consoled by running back D.J. Jones (26) as he reacts to not catching a pass that would have put the team in the lead during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Chapel Hill, N.C. Georgia Tech players and coaches celebrate in the background. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
No. 18 North Carolina meets NC State in longtime rivalry

By Aaron Beard Nov. 24, 2022 11:54 AM EST

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Ga Tech erases 17-point deficit, beats No. 13 North Carolina

By Brennan Doherty Nov. 19, 2022 09:13 PM EST

North Carolina head coach Mack Brown argues a call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
No. 13 North Carolina can clinch 10-win season vs Ga Tech

By Aaron Beard Nov. 17, 2022 12:11 PM EST

T25-Georgia Tech-North Carolina-Preview-Capsule

By The Associated Press Nov. 17, 2022 11:37 AM EST
Georgia Tech (4-6, 3-4 ACC) at No. 13 North Carolina (9-1, 6-0), Saturday, 5:30 p.m. EST (ESPN2) Line: North Carolina by 21 1/2, according to FanDuel...

Utah's quarterback Cameron Rising (7) and running back Tavion Thomas (9) celebrate after their NCAA college football game against Stanford Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: How to rank Pac-12 contenders?

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 14, 2022 05:59 AM EST

North Carolina tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) is knocked out of bounds by Wake Forest defensive back Chelen Garnes (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
No. 15 UNC tops Wake Forest to secure ACC title-game spot

By Aaron Beard Nov. 12, 2022 11:21 PM EST

North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs (11) tries to escape Virginia defensive backs Coen King (9) and Fentrell Cypress II (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Maye, Downs lead No. 17 UNC to 31-28 victory over Virginia

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 05, 2022 03:38 PM EDT

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) tries to outrun Pittsburgh linebacker Bangally Kamara (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Virginia hoping its defense can slow high-scoring No. 17 UNC

By The Associated Press Nov. 04, 2022 04:37 PM EDT

Virginia head coach Tony Elliott runs out on the field before an NCAA college football game against Miami in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (Mike Kropf/The Daily Progress via AP)
No. 17 UNC's potent offense to face stingy Virginia defense

Nov. 04, 2022 03:16 PM EDT

North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs (11) falls to the turf after making a reception for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Maye’s 5 TDs lead No. 21 North Carolina to 42-24 win vs Pitt

By Brennan Doherty Oct. 30, 2022 12:19 AM EDT

Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi watches a replay during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
No. 21 Tar Heels take division chase into game vs Pittsburgh

By Aaron Beard Oct. 27, 2022 06:10 AM EDT

North Carolina's Kobe Paysour (8) runs after a reception during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Duke in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Maye finds Green late, lifts UNC past rival Duke 38-35

By Aaron Beard Oct. 15, 2022 11:48 PM EDT

North Carolina State quarterback Jack Chambers (14) prepares to throw a pass against Florida State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
No. 4 Clemson's trip to FSU headlines ACC Week 7 slate

By Aaron Beard Oct. 13, 2022 12:55 AM EDT

Miami tight end Jaleel Skinner reacts after dropping a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
North Carolina holds on at the end, tops reeling Miami 27-24

By Tim Reynolds Oct. 08, 2022 07:52 PM EDT

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) sails over Virginia Tech defensive back Nasir Peoples (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Maye’s big day leads North Carolina past Virginia Tech 41-10

By Brennan Doherty Oct. 01, 2022 07:31 PM EDT