UNC football fans and New England Patriots fans came together on Thursday night: They tuned in to watch the highly anticipated NFL debut of star quarterback Drake Maye.

Leading up to New England's preseason opener on Thursday, Aug. 8 against Maye's hometown Carolina Panthers, there wasn't a guarantee Maye would play. This week, though, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed he would play.

Maye's debut was short. He played the Patriots' second drive, entering 3:56 into the opening quarter. Maye completed his first pass to Antonio Gibson for a 13-yard first down, threw his second pass incomplete and ended his night completing a pass to running back Kevin Harris for a 6-yard gain.

If we're basing Maye's debut on stats alone, he actually outplayed presumptive starter Jacoby Brissett. Maye completed two of his three passes for 26 yards and a first down, while Brissett was 0-for-3.

Maye was replaced on New England's third drive by Bailey Zappe, another quarterback Maye is competing with on the depth chart.

Tar Heels fans obviously would've loved to see more Maye, but I bet Mayo doesn't want his star rookie QB getting injured before the regular season. The Patriots host the Eagles on Thursday, Aug. 15 and I'd be willing to bet Maye plays more then.

It's going to take some time getting used to saying this, but welcome to the NFL, Drake Maye.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Drake Maye plays one drive in NFL preseason debut