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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

148,070 Views | 944 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by Chicubfannin
irishtank6900
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Pretty damn impressive second quarter
NDmark1
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blairkiel said:

irishduffy said:

24-7 in the second quarter. Good protection, good running lanes. Hope for the future or is their defense just horrible? I'll take it either way.
Their D is as bad as there is.

That being said…we look serviceable


They play D like it's the NBA all star game
ohiondfan
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Anyone else thinking about how much chaos ND would need to make the CFB playoff? Too soon?

Jk
krkmd
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Hard to believe we almost doubled their passing yards
Irishff1417
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Not a perfect half but it's the best we have seen all year so I will take it. Tommy called a really good second quarter.
jjt147
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We look ok no matter who we are playing
trentb
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ohiondfan said:

Anyone else thinking about how much chaos ND would need to make the CFB playoff? Too soon?

Jk
Lets not start sucking each others d-ks just yet
lake erie irish
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Nice comeback by the offense after a dismal start.
REMND
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15 receptions. Mayer with 6. Tyree with 4.
kevinnd21
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Not a better offensive coordinator against bottom 35 defenses than Tommy Rees. The last 6 games last year and now this showing.

Let's see if Jack can schedule this next year
irishtank6900
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Just looked back at my performance in the osu game chat. Man was I hammered that night. Lmao
Rwolf101
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ohiondfan said:

Anyone else thinking about how much chaos ND would need to make the CFB playoff? Too soon?

Jk

They would need the codes to the nukes to make this even a remote possibility
Wiggs4Irish
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D has to pin it's ears back and stay aggressive, keep the hits coming on Mayes.
mattfreeman
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Staff
139 of Notre Dame's 301 total yards have come on 1st down. Irish averaging 7.7 yards per play on 1st down, including 8.7 yards per carry.
jjt147
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Offense is a very nice surprise
Irishff1417
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Watts playing really well. Saw Prince and Botelho get some time.

Another slow start but that 2 quarter was on fire. Gotta find away to start games faster.
irishtank6900
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Irishff1417 said:

Watts playing really well. Saw Prince and Botelho get some time.


That play on the goal line against a much bigger kid was super impressive.
irishtank6900
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I hope Rees continues to go to that split back set with Mayer split. That has absolutely ruined UNCs poorly coached defense.
Brucealeg
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ohiondfan said:

Anyone else thinking about how much chaos ND would need to make the CFB playoff? Too soon?

Jk
I want to beat USC and play in say the Citrus Bowl, that would be great.
blairkiel
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kevinnd21 said:

Not a better offensive coordinator against bottom 35 defenses than Tommy Rees. The last 6 games last year and now this showing.

Let's see if Jack can schedule this next year
Pointless
irishtank6900
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mattfreeman said:

139 of Notre Dame's 301 total yards have come on 1st down. Irish averaging 7.7 yards per play on 1st down, including 8.7 yards per carry.


Wish we could play this defense every week.
NDmark1
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Nobody said bring on Bama, but it's kinda nice not watching another sh!!show from Tommy and the offense.
Brucealeg
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irishtank6900 said:

mattfreeman said:

139 of Notre Dame's 301 total yards have come on 1st down. Irish averaging 7.7 yards per play on 1st down, including 8.7 yards per carry.


Wish we could play this defense every week.
This game is going to help them get better.
blairkiel
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NDmark1 said:

Nobody said bring on Bama, but it's kinda nice not watching another sh!!show from Tommy and the offense.
I've never thought that Tommy callas a bad game

He did what freeman wanted week one
Week two was just a cluster…all the way around

Now we are somewhat settled in last week and this.

Tommy is calling a good game today

Granted…Carolina's D sucks
irishbronx
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irishtank6900 said:

I hope Rees continues to go to that split back set with Mayer split. That has absolutely ruined UNCs poorly coached defense.

I'd just be happy if he leaves at least one back there.
blairkiel
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irishbronx said:

irishtank6900 said:

I hope Rees continues to go to that split back set with Mayer split. That has absolutely ruined UNCs poorly coached defense.

I'd just be happy if he leaves at least one back there.
There's been a decent pocket
REMND
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24 points in the 2nd quarter. Running and passing both very good. 300 yards half. Must of been 250 in the 2nd quarter,
irishtank6900
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Brucealeg said:

irishtank6900 said:

mattfreeman said:

139 of Notre Dame's 301 total yards have come on 1st down. Irish averaging 7.7 yards per play on 1st down, including 8.7 yards per carry.


Wish we could play this defense every week.
This game is going to help them get better.


100%. Confidence is half the battle.
irishbronx
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blairkiel said:

NDmark1 said:

Nobody said bring on Bama, but it's kinda nice not watching another sh!!show from Tommy and the offense.
I've never thought that Tommy callas a bad game

He did what freeman wanted week one
Week two was just a cluster…all the way around

Now we are somewhat settled in last week and this.

Tommy is calling a good game today

Granted…Carolina's D sucks

He's calling a good game but as usual there is some mind numbing stuff. We should never be in an empty backfield. Tyree should get the ball more consistently. We should love used play action sooner.
NDmark1
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He is calling a great game today. OSU game plan was their only option. Marshall and first half Cal was nuts. Seemed very offensive uncoordinated.

2nd half Cal and today look much better coordinated and suited to his personnel.
ohiondfan
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I've seen more of Coach Freeman's chest muscles than I did Styles touchdown catch during this broadcast.
mattfreeman
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Staff
DJ Brown isn't dressed on the sideline.
Rwolf101
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mattfreeman said:

DJ Brown isn't dressed on the sideline.

Don't they have laws against public nudity there?
theoriginalndmom
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mattfreeman said:

DJ Brown isn't dressed on the sideline.
Not good, but next man in!
Rwolf101
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Damn Tommy. Where you been hiding bro?
 
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