What's next for UNC's Maye, Mack Brown after 'embarrassing' loss to NC State

By Brian Murphy, WRAL

Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye left the field late in Saturday's loss to rival NC State holding his left leg after a sack.

With the outcome long since decided — and not in the Tar Heels' favor — it seemed likely that Maye, projected to be selected among the first few picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, would not return.

Instead, Maye trotted back on the field for UNC's final drive, which ended in his second interception of the night. NC State routed UNC 39-20 in the regular-season finale for both teams.

"Never quit," Maye said. "I think that's a sign of defeat. No matter how I'm feeling, there's a lot of people out there going through tougher things than a lower leg thing. I want to get back out with the guys, not leave them out there. It meant something to me."

Maye, the 2022 ACC player of the year and 2023 preseason pick, and finished 22-of-38 passing for 254 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 106 yards and one touchdown.

But Maye took a pounding throughout the game from the Wolfpack defense, which finished with five quarterback hits. He opened the game 1-of-7 passing for three yards as NC State built a 23-0 lead.

"Just embarrassing," Maye said. "Really just thought we didn't put our best foot forward. It starts with me."

The question now is if those final seconds in Raleigh will be the last time Maye suits up for the Tar Heels.

"Sit down with my family and make some decisions," Maye said. "At the end of the day, being a Tar Heel, playing in Carolina blue, has meant the world to me. Been a dream come true. We didn't finish out the right way, but may have another chance to do that."

Maye said he had not made a decision about playing in a bowl game for UNC (8-4).

"A lot of things weigh into it," Maye said. "But obviously I'd love to get one more chance out here with these guys."

The Tar Heels will likely not know their bowl destination or opponent until December 3, one day after the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte. Florida State and Louisville will meet for the title.

The Tar Heels played in that game last season. UNC opened the year 6-0 and rose to No. 10 in the polls before sputtering down the stretch — dropping four of their last six games, including four of five ACC games.

"It's just a bummer it ended the way it ended," Maye said.

Senior linebacker Cedric Gray, too, did not commit to playing in the bowl game.

Mack Brown plans to return

Just as he said before the Tar Heels' loss to Clemson, coach Mack Brown insisted that he would be back on the sidelines for UNC next season. Brown, 72, is 38-26 in five seasons since returning to Chapel Hill, where he coached from 1988 to 1997.

"I'm planning on being back," Brown said. "I hadn't even thought about it until you all brought it up. It gets brought up every year. When you're 72, that's a regular. You can just mark it down. It's the Thursday before the last game, before recruiting starts because everybody that's competing against you."

The Tar Heels opened last season 9-1 before dropping their final four game. This year, UNC was 6-0 before stumbling down the stretch. Brown has lost three straight to NC State, including Saturday's beatdown which Brown took responsibility for.

As for other changes to the program, including staff changes, Brown said he will begin having conversations with players and coaches this week.

"At the end of every year, I sit down and evaluate everything," Brown said.