Sam Howell led all freshman QBs in passing attempts and touchdown passes in FBS in 2019. Howell finished the 2019 season completing 61.4 percent of his passes for 3,641 yards, 38 TDs and seven interceptions. Howell fell two TD passes shy of Jameis Winston’s 2013 FBS record playing in one less game.
Howell made his second career start against Miami last season after leading North Carolina to a victory over South Carolina in his debut for the Tar Heels in their 2019 season opener. Howell finished 16-24 for 279 yards and two TDs and caught a pass for 18 yards. Howell and the Tar Heels got off to a great start.
In the first quarter, Howell was 6-7 passing for 134 yards and a TD. North Carolina took a 17-3 lead after one quarter. Miami was able to battle back in the second quarter to cut the lead to 17-13 at halftime. Howell was just 1-3 for just nine yards in the second quarter as Miami began their comeback.
The Hurricanes continued to have the better of the play in the third quarter. Miami held the ball for nearly nine minutes in the game’s third 15-minute stanza. Through the first three quarters, the Miami football team had a 27:57-17:03 advantage in time of possession.