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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

148,062 Views | 944 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by Chicubfannin
mattfreeman
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Staff
Drew Pyne to Logan Diggs +39

And Diggs looks like he has hurt his right shoulder now.

Great play design.
SHAMROCK
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mattfreeman said:

Drew Pyne: 3/6, 27 yards
Drake Maye: 3/7, 39 yards, 1 TD


But Maye has run for 100 yards
SHAMROCK
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Nice play OL was downfield. Thankfully they missed it. Hope it's not reviewable
detroit_irish
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I'm so sick of the young/inexperienced QB argument. All these other teams don't seem to have a problem putting in young and inexperienced QBs with a lot of success. But ND can't trust their young QBs cause of inexperience? That's a garbage argument. And if the ND QBs fail, maybe their QBs are just trash.
irishtank6900
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Okay tommy
ohiondfan
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"That's a relatively easy throw" according to TV. But Pyne almost threw it in the ground lol
Sgt Hulka
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AMAZING! Roll your fidget QB so he can see. What a concept
irishbronx
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Here's the thing that drives you nuts about Rees. He designs good plays and calls them at the right time evey so often. But he tries to be the smartest guy in the room way too often.

Oh yeah run TYREE!
REMND
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One cut and go downhill
REMND
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Nice run. I thought they had him
Rwolf101
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Can't wait to see how we turn this situation into a missed fg attempt.
dtc60
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Lots of angst against Rees, however, you need to have a QB, Line blocking, RB and WR/TE's in order to be imaginative, execute the plays in the book, etc... Bottom line, this is NOT all on Rees, Players need to do their job every play. The guys are trying, Rees is trying, but mistakes, lack of execution all play a role. what did everyone expect today based on the first 3 games... certainly not an unstoppable offense at this stage.

andrew32
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detroit_irish said:

I'm so sick of the young/inexperienced QB argument. All these other teams don't seem to have a problem putting in young and inexperienced QBs with a lot of success. But ND can't trust their young QBs cause of inexperience? That's a garbage argument. And if the ND QBs fail, maybe their QBs are just trash.


Can you name another T25 caliber program starting a true FR that got to campus in the summer and was taking about team reps?

I'm asking sincerely. Because that's what we'd be doing.
tayirish14
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Tyree is running well. Keep getting him touches. The line is starting to move people too
mattfreeman
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Staff
TOUCHDOWN IRISH.
NDmark1
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Rwolf101 said:

Can't wait to see how we turn this situation into a missed fg attempt.


No more FG attempts. 4 downs past the 50
BigIrishEnergy69
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I guess Tommy Rees have been hearing yall's complaint about not getting Tyree the ball.
IrishRob
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Nice drive!
theoriginalndmom
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Hallelujah!
Kong
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Prince made appearance last series
ejsjr
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Tyree left, Tyree right, Mayer up the middle. Keep it up!
mattfreeman
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Staff
Drew Pyne hits Michael Mayer for a 10-yard score.

Notre Dame 7
North Carolina 7

12:57 | 2Q

8 plays, 83 yards in 3:48

Drew Pyne: 5/8, 71 yards, 1 TD
ohiondfan
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Amazing what happens when you get your best players the ball.
Cassin
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Tommy!
BigIrishEnergy69
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Let me guess. Tommy Rees still sucks even after Mayer scores....
Rwolf101
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I want to remain angry but that series had some dynamic play calls and some good execution.
Sgt Hulka
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83 yard drive. Nicely done boys!
ejsjr
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tayirish14 said:

Tyree is running well. Keep getting him touches. The line is starting to move people too


Don't give him "touches," give him the friggin' ball!
tvanp63
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Surprise, play action works! Remember that Tommy.
Original Bubs
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Holy **** we're amazing suck my balls mack brown you hillbilly
ND_Rumpus
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Credit where credit is due, nice drive, nice play calls and design.
ohiondfan
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Do you guys think that TD drive was good enough to attract NFL attention for our Offensive Coordinator?
SHAMROCK
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Love to ND spring two receiver uncovered on that drive and hit them.
andrew32
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Now time for the patented defense letdown drive
Sec26Row30
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Who knew we had that in us?
Formerly sec26row44, before that sec25row45... not happy till I'm moving further North and watching the game from the library......
 
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