ATLANTA, GA (AP)—Drake Maye passed for two touchdowns, Omarion Hampton ran for a pair of scores and North Carolina escaped another upset bid from a Sun Belt Conference team Saturday, rallying for a 35-28 victory over Georgia State after squandering an 18-point lead.

The Tar Heels (3-0) were coming off a wild 63-61 victory at Appalachian State despite giving up a staggering 40 points in the fourth quarter.

The Panthers ripped off 25 straight points to grab a 28-21 lead late in the third quarter.

But Hampton broke a 58-yard touchdown run right down the middle of field to tie the game before the end of the third.

He won it on a 2-yard scoring plunge with 10:42 remaining, ensuring the Tar Heels escaped another close call and moved to 3-0 for the first time since 2011.

"I'm happy to have two wins on the road," coach Mack Brown said. "Both of them tough wins, which really helps us grow up."

Hampton finished with 110 yards rushing on 16 carries.

North Carolina appeared headed for a more comfortable win after the previous week's craziness, building a 21-3 lead midway through the second quarter.

Maye threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Kamari Morales and a 28-yarder to Kobe Paysour. 

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North Carolina: After an off week, the Tar Heels host No. 8 Notre Dame on Sept. 24 in their final nonconference game before getting to the ACC portion of their schedule