Heels' Maye, Syracuse's Babers top AP's midyear ACC honors
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Heels’ Maye, Syracuse’s Babers top AP’s midyear ACC honors
(AP) – North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and Syracuse coach Dino Babers headline the honorees in The Associated Press’ midseason report for the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Maye, a second-year passer, was picked as the league’s top offensive player through the season’s first half in voting by AP writers covering league teams after ranking among the Bowl Subdivision’s most prolific passers. Babers was the choice as top coach for the 18th-ranked Syracuse, which was also voted as the league’s most surprising team on the list released Wednesday.
Maye entered this year with just seven pass attempts but has thrived in Phil Longo’s high-scoring scheme beyond all expectations. He is third in FBS with 21 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions, while his passing yardage (317.2 average) is eighth in FBS and he also ranks in the top 20 in completion percentage (69.4%).
Maye’s brilliance has allowed the Tar Heels (5-1, 2-0 ACC) to overcome a shaky defense through sheer scoring volume, which has put them in contention in the league’s Coastal Division.
“He gives us a chance because we can score points offensively to be in every game,” UNC coach Mack Brown said recently, “and never be out of a game.”
Babers entered his seventh year facing growing pressure. The Orange had been picked last in the Atlantic Division race after going from a 10-win season in 2018 to just one win two seasons later.
Syracuse (5-0, 2-0) ranks near the top of the league in scoring (38.4) while boasting one of the nation’s top defenses, which ranks ninth in FBS by holding opponents to 14.0 points per game.
“They haven’t played perfect football, but the record is still perfect and now they get an opportunity to do some exciting stuff,” Babers said. “It doesn’t mean that we will, but it does mean we have a chance.”
