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Drake Maye couldn’t hide his excitement after North Carolina stunned rival Duke in a late-night thriller. The former Tar Heel and current New England quarterback shared a celebratory Instagram Story as UNC completed a dramatic comeback, a moment that resonated beyond Chapel Hill.
How North Carolina erased a 12-point halftime deficit to beat Duke
The No. 14 Tar Heels rallied from 12 down at the break to edge No. 4 Duke, 71-68. The game swung in the second half as UNC tightened defense and hit timely shots.
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- Final score: 71-68 in favor of North Carolina.
- Key theme: a resilient comeback that energized the fanbase.
- Impact: the win handed Duke its second loss of the season and its first inside the ACC.
Drake Maye’s reaction — a hometown quarterback rooting for his school
Less than 24 hours before one of the biggest games of his NFL career, Maye posted the final score of the UNC-Duke game on his Instagram Story. The post, shared with three fire emojis, drew attention from national media.
Boston Globe reporter Ben Volin noted the timing, and the clip quickly spread across social platforms. It underscored how players maintain strong ties to their college programs even after moving to the pros.
Maye’s connection to Chapel Hill
Maye spent three seasons at the University of North Carolina, where he led the football program for two years before declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.
- Passing yardage: 8,018 yards across his UNC tenure.
- Touchdowns: 63 passing TDs in three seasons.
- Accuracy: roughly a 63.3% completion rate while starting for the Tar Heels.
Why the victory matters for UNC’s ACC hopes
The win keeps North Carolina firmly in the conference conversation. With the result, the Tar Heels improved to a 19-4 overall record and added a landmark victory over a top-ranked rival.
Eight regular-season games remain before the ACC Tournament begins, leaving room for seeding shifts as the league race tightens.
What’s next on UNC’s schedule
North Carolina faces Miami next, a matchup scheduled for Tuesday, February 10. A victory would extend the Tar Heels’ momentum and push their streak to six wins.
- Upcoming opponent: Miami Hurricanes
- Date: Tuesday, February 10
- Scenario: a win would mark UNC’s sixth straight.
Broader reactions and the crossover with the NFL
Maye’s post illustrated how college loyalties travel with athletes into the pros. Fans noticed that even while preparing for the Super Bowl, he paused to celebrate his alma mater.
That blend of pro-level focus and college affinity creates memorable moments for fans and players alike.
