Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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who has mostly been used in an equal three-player rotation in 2014. "I'm still trying to make the most of my oppor- tunities. That's what I felt I did today." After registering only three carries for 14 yards and suffering a quad con- tusion in the 17-14 win over Stanford the previous week, Folston focused on receiving treatment during the days leading up to the North Caro- lina game. He admitted it impaired his production against the Cardinal and during practice the next few days. Kelly praised Folston's pass-block- ing performance against Stanford, but against the Tar Heels the sophomore made his impact on passing downs as a pass catcher. He caught five throws for 71 yards and a touchdown, for a total of three scores in the game. "I feel like every back wants to think they're a complete back. but every- body still has things to work on," Folston said about his improvements. "Pass protection is one of mine, and I feel like I'm becoming a better pass protector. There are still things I need to work on." In the first quarter, Folston caught a screen pass from senior quarterback Everett Golson and scampered 37 yards to help set up the team's first touchdown after falling behind 14-0. Later in the game, Notre Dame, trail- ing 36-35, was nine yards away from a go-ahead score. Folston found an open- ing in the end zone, but Golson did not see the running back before throwing an incompletion to senior Amir Carl- isle. The next play, the quarterback did not make the same mistake. He con- nected with Folston, who juked a de- fender and reached the end zone. "I clowned with him," Folston said of the conversation with Golson prior to the touchdown. "Me and Ev clown a lot at practice, games. He asked me if I was open and I said yeah. There was no argument or anything. It was just fun." • Senior linebacker Joe Schmidt forced his second fumble of the season, the first coming in Notre Dame's 31-0 victory over Michigan. After his ini- tial turnover creation, Schmidt was elated while describing the play. After popping the ball out of North Carolina freshman running back — and one- time Notre Dame commit — Elijah Hood's hands, Schmidt was far more even-keeled. "[Sophomore linebacker] Jaylon [Smith] did an awesome job turning him right back into me," Schmidt said. "I was able to get my head right on the football. As soon as I hit him, I saw the ball come out." Junior safety Elijah Shumate recovered the fumble. • With his 300 yards, senior quarterback Everett Golson eclipsed the 4,000-yard passing mark. Gol- son reached the milestone in only 18 games. • Junior defensive lineman Jarron Jones blocked a second-quarter extra point attempt by the Tar Heels. It was the fourth blocked kick of Jones's career and second of the season. • North Carolina redshirt junior quarterback Mar- quise Williams rushed for 132 yards, becoming the first player to reach the century mark against Notre Dame this season. • The Tar Heels scored 10 points in the third quar- ter, the first points the Irish allowed this season in the 15 minutes following halftime adjustments. • In the fourth quarter, Notre Dame attempted, and converted, its first two-point conversion of the season when Golson found senior tight end Ben Koyack from three yards out. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES