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GAME THREAD | Notre Dame at North Carolina

September 24, 2022
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Notre Dame (1-2) at North Carolina (3-0) 

Kenan Stadium | 3:30 p.m. ET | ABC | North Carolina -1.5 | O/U: 55.0

Game Week Articles | Roster| Depth ChartSchedule 


TIPPING POINT 

Notre Dame’s season took a turn in week two when Marshall left Notre Dame Stadium with a victory and now the Irish sit at another tipping point in Chapel Hill. The Fighting Irish will leave North Carolina 2-2 or 1-3 and there is a significant difference between the two. 

Saturday will mark Drew Pyne’s second start in the blue and gold and Notre Dame can’t afford the junior quarterback to take five drives to ease into the game as North Carolina features one of the nation’s top offenses. It’s a true battle of strength vs. strength and weakness vs. weakness as the Tar Heels defense is one of the worst in not only Power Five football, but the entire country. 

The key to this game will be Notre Dame’s ability to run the football as not only will that open up the offense, but it can control the clock a bit. Notre Dame isn’t going to play as conservative as the Ohio State game, but they also don’t want to get into a shootout with the Tar Heels. 

If Notre Dame’s offensive line can play to its standard, then the Irish could leave Chapel Hill at .500, but if not, then it could be a long bye week for Marcus Freeman’s squad. 


Five Players To Watch

Notre Dame DT Jacob Lacey
After a breakout game last week, Lacey will get a chance to make more splash plays against a UNC O-line that has had some issues. Look for all of the Irish defensive tackles to have a big impact on this game.

UNC RT Spencer Rolland 
The transfer from Harvard hasn't played that well to start the season and is coming off of an injury. Good luck to him if Isaiah Foskey and Justin Ademilola are firing off the ball the same way they did against Cal. This is a matchup that should favor Notre Dame.

Notre Dame RB Chris Tyree
Tyree touched the football a lot more last week and we could see similar chances for him going forward. This is a game where his ability as a receiver can be utilized quite a bit. UNC is one of the worst teams in the country when it comes to giving up big plays in the passing game.

UNC QB Drake Maye
He's been outstanding in his first three starts and could be on his way to being one of the best in the nation at the position. Notre Dame not only has to pressure him, but contain him as a runner where he can do serious damage.

Notre Dame CB TaRiq Bracy
Bracy is arguably the defensive MVP for the Irish to start the season and he has to continue to be with a matchup against WR Josh Downs. Notre Dame needs Bracy to limit Downs and to continue to make plays on the perimeter. 


Quotes of the Week

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman: 
“You don’t treat every player the same in terms of how you coach them. You treat them in terms of what will help them respond in the right way. In the moment, that’s what Drew needed. Drew will be the first one to tell you that. I hope people understand that’s a reflection of the relationship they have and plenty of other coaches have with their players.

“They know it’s not personal because of the relationship we have - if there’s a trust issue and all of sudden he’s screaming at you to do your job, then all of a sudden, that’s not going to get the results that you want. If you have a strong relationship with the guys in your room and they trust you, those moments that are intense are never personal. It’s all about making sure we get the job done.” 

Notre Dame OC Tommy Rees:
"We've got to continue to get him to feel really good going into the game and get him in rhythm and get him in rhythm with the guys. That starts to open things up a little bit. Drew (Pyne0 responded like we knew he would and like I said last week, he cares a lot and he wants to be there for his teammates. He certainly responded and did that." 

Notre Dame DC Al Golden:
"Yeah, you said it, rush lane discipline. Don't be behind the quarterback and it's even more important when you have a guy that can run like the kid at North Carolina. They've had a great tradition of guys that can scramble — not just to scramble, but the quarterback run game (as well). (Drake) Maye is the next guy there in terms of that. He does a great job with the ball." 

Notre Dame DL Howard Cross III:
"I'm pretty sure after the last game, people that should be confident and will be confident going into this game. That's what the season is all about. Just gaining confidence and being better every single game you play."

Notre Dame P Jon Sot:
“The brotherhood is real here. Everybody takes care of each other. I feel I continue to keep developing those relationships.”


For Your Nerves 

TEAM STATS Notre Dame UNC
Points Per Game 18.3 51.3
Points Allowed Per Game 21.3 37.7
Total Yards 300.3 547.3
Yards Passing 182.7 310.0
Yards Rushing 117.7 237.3
Yards Allowed 351.7 468.3
Pass Yards Allowed 184.0 275.3
Rush Yards Allowed  167.7 193.0

Notre Dame Fighting Irish OHT Military Appreciation Waffle Full-Zip Hoodie 

GAME THREAD | Notre Dame at North Carolina

139,607 Views | 944 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by Chicubfannin
bmhend54
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One benefit of having a later kickoff is seeing the early games. Totally remarkable how simple and fast other offenses are. One read passing games, quick hitting downhill running games, etc. Run by less athletic teams with tempo and efficiency. I'm left asking why we can't do that. Why our run scheme and blocking scheme lead to slow developing runs and why the route combos are what they are. I don't think the talent on offense is the full story here. There's more talent on offense here than I see at TCU, Duke, Kansas and a bunch of other teams Im staring at here. Is Tommy trying to a run a more complex scheme than we need to particularly with the personnel? Why, to play a long game to get an NFL coordinator job?
mattfreeman
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Staff
Chapel Hill.
mattfreeman
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Staff
mattfreeman
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Staff
Tyler Buchner warming up.

Aka. Throwing the football with a sling on.
mattfreeman
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Staff
TE Kevin Bauman and S Ramon Henderson are out today.

mattfreeman
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Staff
Drake Maye throws a gorgeous ball.
domina nostra
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mattfreeman said:

Drake Maye throws a gorgeous ball.


I heard he couldn't even throw a spiral in high school, but UNC coached him up once he got to campus.

Credit where it's due: they develop QBs in that system.
Wiggs4Irish
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foofightergene
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A The Matt Freeman sighting on the field.
mattfreeman
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Staff
Kickoff will be at 3:41
pshakes831
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ESPN App or ESPN News now?
pshakes831
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ESPN News
mattfreeman
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Staff
Notre Dame has taken the field.
fredfenster
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Switched to ESPN News and I'm seeing some sort of co-ed Spikeball tournament…
Rwolf101
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I would love to have Sam Hartman in an Irish uniform
Sgt Hulka
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Does Dabo not have God's favor today?

Shocking!
tommynacc
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*** ESPN?!?!
pshakes831
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Same here. They are the worst
mattfreeman
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Staff
Notre Dame wins the toss and will defer.
ndSlaw
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mattfreeman said:

Notre Dame wins the toss and will defer.
Is that allowed?
smallz1531
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how to watch cause abc is clemson
mattfreeman
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Staff
Jordan Botelho!
tvanp63
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Now on ESPN News
fredfenster
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ESPN news now has the game on.
Rwolf101
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Great stop by botelho
mattfreeman
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Staff
Rough start for Cam Hart.
mattfreeman
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Staff
Marist brings the wood on Maye - but it's after a gain of 6.
Rwolf101
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We have to have the least athletic linebackers in the nation
section16
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ND loves the arm tackle
mattfreeman
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Staff
Irish defense fighting inside the 5.
irishtank6900
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Slowwwwww
lake erie irish
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Thats a win.
jmsheridan
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That's a big stop.
mattfreeman
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Staff
4th-and-goal from the 4.

Marcus Freeman calls timeout.
jmsheridan
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Spoke too soon
 
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