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          Drake Maye connects with Austin Hooper to put Patriots up on Colts

          • Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff WriterDec 1, 2024, 07:17 PM
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              Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. You can follow Reiss on Twitter at @MikeReiss.
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          FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- In an entertaining first half, New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye provided one of the team's highlights with a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end Austin Hooper late in the second quarter.

          Maye gathered in a shotgun snap around his knees from center Ben Brown on left hash mark, and quickly scanned the field to his left. Hooper was running a corner route to the front left pylon of the end zone with linebacker Zaire Franklin in tight coverage underneath him -- and Maye lofted the pass over the top.

          Hooper, the nine-year veteran, elevated to catch it at the 1-yard line and stepped into the end zone to cap off an eight-play, 70-yard drive. The ensuing extra point gave the Patriots a 16-14 lead.

          Hooper entered the day with 27 receptions for 295 yards and two touchdowns. It was Maye's 11th touchdown pass of the season.