Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Most of Notre Dame's 105 rushing yards in the first half came on senior Everett Golson's quarterback draws or scrambling out of the pocket, areas where he is more natural than the zone read or option along the perimeter. He had 58 of his 71 rushing yards in the first half before being able to rely more on his backs — a needed blessing because he also lost two fumbles. Three different Irish backs scored rushing touch- downs for the first time since the 2012 Miami game. The jet sweep with the sprinting slot has become a weapon, with senior Amir Carlisle and junior C.J. Prosise both having 12-yard dashes. It also serves as a decoy on other plays. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame NOTRE DAME PASSING GAME VS. UNC PASS DEFENSE After getting sacked on the game's third play and missing on his first five passes — one of which was an interception returned for a touchdown on a basic stick route to the tight end — Golson settled in, completing 21 of his last 33 passes for 300 yards and three scores. Yards after the catch (YAC) were significant for both sophomore wide receiver Will Fuller (seven catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns) on slants/middle screens, and Folston (five catches for 71 yards and a TD), who was regularly open as a check-down option in middle screens, often the fourth progression in Golson's reads. Fuller also drew three pass interfer- ence penalties in the fourth quarter alone to help set up two Irish touchdowns. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame SPECIAL TEAMS Returns were poor for both teams, but a prime reason was the coverage was excellent, including the Irish throwing premier Tar Heels' punt return man Ryan Switzer for 12- and one-yard losses. The edge goes to Notre Dame for three reasons: North Carolina missed a 32-yard field goal in the first quarter that could have made it 10-0; junior nose guard Jarron Jones blocked an extra point that kept Notre Dame ahead 21-20; and senior tight end Ben Koyack recovered North Carolina's onside kick with 47 seconds left to seal the outcome. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame THIRD-DOWN CONVERSIONS On North Carolina's third touchdown drive that required 16 plays, it converted five third downs, in- cluding third-and-six and third-and-seven, plus it tal- lied from three yards out on third-and-goal. The Irish converted five on their last two touchdown drives. Notre Dame's longest conversion of the day was a 32-yard pass from Golson to Fuller on third-and-21 from its 8-yard line when it trailed 36-35. The Tar Heels were 9 of 17 (52.9 percent), while Notre Dame was 7 of 15 (46.7 percent), but a Golson QB sneak that was converted on fourth down during a touchdown drive basically makes this a wash. ADVANTAGE: Even TURNOVERS Two lost fumbles and a pick-six by Golson give him nine turnovers over the last three games. The three miscues were converted into 21 Tar Heel points. North Carolina's lone turnover, on Irish junior cor- ner Cole Luke's interception, came at a pivotal time deep in Notre Dame territory and led to the final Irish touchdown march to expand their lead to 50- 36. ADVANTAGE: North Carolina SUMMARY Brian Kelly summarized it best when he said this is a team that knows how to win collectively through ebbs and flows. Last week, the Irish won a 17-14 slugfest against Stanford that was tied 7-7 halfway through the fourth quarter. This week, Notre Dame captured a 50-43 shootout after spotting the Tar Heels a 14-0 lead in the first 6:12. Next week, ND has an ideal attention-getting game against Florida State, which likely will be a cross between a shootout and slugfest. ✦ ON PAPER REVISITED BY LOU SOMOGYI