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UNC football: Top 10 plays made by 2022 returning players
North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Josh Downs (11) catches a touchdown in the end zone as Virginia Cavaliers free safety Joey Blount (29) defends in the first quarter of the Sept. 18, 2021 game at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Credit: Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports)

UNC football: Top 10 plays made by 2022 returning players

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (BVM) — The 2021 season for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels was a disappointment with a final record of 6-7. UNC also lost starting quarterback Sam Howell and running back Ty Chandler to the NFL Draft in the offseason. 

That doesn’t mean the talent cupboard on offense is bare. There’s plenty of playmaking ability still on the roster that will help quarterback Drake Maye, who had a good debut against an undermanned Florida A&M, throwing for five touchdowns with no interceptions on 29 of 37 passing for 294 yards.

A couple of players who feature on the list had important contributions in the season opener. Wide receiver Josh Downs, who figures prominently on this list, had nine catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Kamari Morales had two catches for 33 yards and one touchdown as well.

Before the 2022 season fully kicks into high gear, here’s a look back at the top 10 plays made last season by Tar Heels who are back on the field this fall.

Justin Olson TD vs. NC State

While UNC would go on to lose to the Wolfpack, wide receiver Olson had a beautiful touchdown catch in the second quarter to give UNC a 24-14 lead. Olson used every bit of his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame to resist NC State cornerback Shyheim Battle’s efforts to squeeze Olson to the sideline. 

Then Olson elevated and “Mossed” the ball over Battle’s head for his first collegiate touchdown. 

A pair of INTs vs. Miami

Miami was trailing 45-42 in the final seconds of the game. The Hurricanes had the ball at UNC’s 16-yard line with under 20 seconds to go and facing a third down and four with the clock ticking away. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke dropped back and tried to get rid of it quickly with pressure coming up the middle. Linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel brought the pressure and then tipped Van Dyke’s hurried pass up into the air.

The ball pinged around before fellow linebacker Cedric Gray bear-hugged the ball and sealed the win for UNC.

Morales TD vs. FSU

Despite the loss, Morales scored a touchdown in his fourth-straight game when he scored against Florida State. In the third quarter with UNC trailing 21-10, Howell faked an end-around while Morales fought off a jam near the line of scrimmage. Morales got separation and ran up the sideline and caught Howell’s lofted pass two steps into the end zone. 

Cam’ron Kelly’s INTs vs. Wake Forest

UNC welcomed undefeated Wake Forest to town, and UNC defensive back Kelly made his presence known throughout the game. With just over four minutes left in the first quarter, the Demon Deacons had the ball at their own 26 and were trying to extend their drive and their 10-7 lead. Kelly made sure that didn’t happen, undercutting a route at the sticks and picking off quarterback Sam Hartman.

UNC was trailing 48-41 with just under 11 minutes remaining in the game. The Demon Deacons had the ball at their own 26 and were looking to increase their lead.  Hartman dropped back to pass on third and nine, looking to extend the drive. 

His pass down the right sideline was read by Kelly, who picked it off at Wake Forest’s 41-yard line and returned it all the way back to the 21 to set the Tar Heels up in a prime position to tie the game. UNC would go on to win 58-55, ending the Demon Deacons’ undefeated run.

The Josh Downs Show

One could argue that this list should be nothing but Downs highlights. He’s not the only returning player who deserves some love, but his sophomore season was impressive. He finished the season with 101 catches for 1,335 yards and eight touchdowns. It would make sense for him to make multiple appearances throughout this list.

Downs TDs vs. Virginia

UNC picked up its second win of the season with a 59-39 fireworks-filled victory over Virginia. Downs finished the game with eight catches for 203 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdowns staked the Tar Heels to a 14-0 lead due to both his speed and athletic ability. 

The first touchdown was a quick hitter only about five yards from the line of scrimmage. Downs turned upfield, split the two nearest defenders, then cut it back to the sideline and got one final block to take it for a 59-yard touchdown.

For the second touchdown, Howell dropped back and found Downs streaking into the end zone and lofted it to the back pylon. It looked just out of Downs’ reach until he laid out and made a spectacular diving catch, just managing to get the ball secured before spilling out of bounds. 

Downs TD vs. Duke

There are few things that bring a smile to a UNC fan more than a drubbing of its rival Duke. Fans were treated to a 38-7 win two weeks after beating Virginia, and Downs put on a show for a 63-yard touchdown. 

UNC had the ball at their own 37 with just over six minutes left in the game and facing third and nine. Howell dropped back and found Downs short of the sticks with a defender breathing down his neck. However, the defender chose to make a diving effort on the ball and missed. 

Downs cut it upfield, got a couple of key blocks, and outraced everyone to the end zone. 

Downs TD vs. Florida State

The second appearance of Florida State on this list despite the loss. UNC was driving into FSU territory with three minutes left in the first quarter but was backed up to second and 20. Howell dropped back, Downs outraced the entire defensive backfield, and Howell zipped the ball into the end zone. Downs spun around to catch it and tucked it away before falling out of the back of the end zone for the score.

Downs TD vs. Miami

A week after the tough loss to Florida State, UNC got back into the win column with a tight 45-42 victory, thanks in part to Cedric Gray’s game-sealing interception from earlier in the list. With just over eight minutes remaining in the first half with the score tied at 7, UNC had the ball at the Miami 45 facing a third and one. 

Howell dropped back and then hit Downs on a short slant at the 40. He immediately turned up field, split the nearest defenders, and outran everyone to the left pylon for the untouched score.

Downs catch vs. Pitt

UNC suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss to Pitt in November, falling 30-23. However, the Tar Heels were able to push the game into overtime in large part due to a huge reception by Downs. With just over eight minutes remaining in the fourth and down 23-13, UNC had the ball near midfield. 

On second and 8 from the Pitt 47, Howell dropped back and launched a deep rainbow. Again Downs dove out and grabbed the pass before crashing down at the one. UNC punched it in shortly thereafter, then was able to tie the game with a field goal with under a minute to play in the fourth.