Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com OCT. 30, 2021 37 GAME PREVIEW: NORTH CAROLINA The drop-off at receiver behind Downs is vast but senior Antoine Green and junior Emery Simmons both have at least 240 receiving yards this season from the wideout position. With its entire offensive line back, a pass-block- ing unit that gave up 34 total sacks (2.8 per game) last season was expected to show dramatic im- provement. That hasn't happened so far. North Carolina is allowing 3.9 sacks a game this season, one of the worst marks in the country. As it has in almost every defensive category this season, Notre Dame has steadily improved in its pass defense. The Irish entered the USC game ranked No. 17 nationally in pass efficiency defense. Its 10 interceptions were fifth in the country and its 2.67 sacks per game rated in the top 40, in no small part because of versatile junior vyper Isaiah Foskey. Foskey's 6.0 sacks through six games led the Irish, and he also had four quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries. Through the Virginia Tech game, Foskey was one of only nine players in the country averaging at least 1.0 sacks per game. Advantage: North Carolina NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. NORTH CAROLINA RUN DEFENSE With 180 rushing yards in the 32-29 win over Vir- ginia Tech — including 81 from Irish junior tailback Kyren Williams — Notre Dame showed a slight pulse in this category before the USC game, but it still ranked only 118th out of 130 FBS teams at 97.3 rushing yards per game. For North Carolina, sophomore Ja'Qurious Con- ley has been a pleasant surprise. The versatile defensive back is tied for the team lead with 38 total tackles (three for loss). Senior linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel also has 38 tackles with 4.0 for loss. Classmate and fellow line- backer Tomon Fox (6-4, 265 pounds) is a playmak- ing menace who can snuff the run as a linebacker or disrupt quarterbacks off the edge. He has 15 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. North Carolina allows 158.9 rushing yards a game, which ranks in the bottom third of the NCAA statistical pack. Advantage: North Carolina NOTRE DAME PASSING GAME VS. NORTH CAROLINA PASS DEFENSE As Notre Dame continues to play quarterback derby, its production in the passing game has re- mained steady and adequate with graduate stu- dent Jack Coan under center, especially in late- game situations. Coan rated only 58th nationally in passing ef- ficiency at the season's halfway mark but his late- game heroics in pulling out wins against Florida State, Toledo and Virginia Tech need to be celebrated. What doesn't deserve recognition is Notre Dame's season-long struggles at protecting its quarterbacks. Through six games, the Irish were still allowing 4.0 sacks per game which ranked near the bottom of the NCAA. If there is one bright spot, some player shuffling along the offensive line — moves that included increased roles for freshman Joe Alt and junior Andrew Kristofic — has brought some stability to the pass-protection unit. Sophomore defensive lineman Myles Murphy leads UNC with 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. A persistent problem for North Carolina has been turning over opposing quarterbacks and recording takeaways in general. The Tar Heels forced just 11 turnovers last season, the fewest in the ACC. To its credit, UNC has already matched 2020's takeaway total in seven games this season. Conley, junior defensive back Cam'Ron Kelly and sophomore linebacker Cedric Gray have each al- ready recorded two interceptions after no Tar Heel player had more than one in 2020. Irish sophomore tight end Michael Mayer contin- ues to soldier through a nagging groin injury, but still easily leads the Irish in receptions with 32 for 360 yards and three scores. After the bye week, coach Brian Kelly indicated that Mayer was expected to be at or near 100 percent for the USC game. Advantage: Even Sophomore wide receiver Josh Downs has 60 catches for 837 yards and eight touchdowns. He was aver- aging 119.6 receiving yards per game, which ranked No. 7 in the country prior to last weekend. PHOTO COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS