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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

155,750 Views | 944 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by Chicubfannin
mattfreeman
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Staff
Sgt Hulka
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Your turn D, Keep getting in this kid's face
Audomer
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Nursing a Guiness right now in Galway, using this thread as the only way to get updates on our "progress" in the game. Thanks for the updates, Matt.
irishbronx
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I don't want to hear that Tyree can't be a featured running back. He's not a receiver. He's not a third down back. He's your best running back!!!! Use him!
AZdoc
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mattfreeman said:




Sadly doesn't say much
dc irish
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Tyree is criminally unrelated by the national media and perhaps by Rees
Sgt Hulka
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mattfreeman said:


That was the most complete drive since the first half of the Fiesta Bowl.
irishtank6900
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Much better
NDmark1
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Remember turnovers on D. Those were the days.
trentb
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Rwolf101 said:

I want to remain angry but that series had some dynamic play calls and some good execution.
If you are Tommy though you immediately go to something else as just running Tyree and play action would be too easy. I hope I am wrong.
bmhend54
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Defense momentum killing bed wet forthcoming I fear.
irishtank6900
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Sgt Hulka said:

Your turn D, Keep getting in this kid's face


Let's hope they break the trend… lol
BigEastFan69
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They're coming in this game…
theoriginalndmom
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Cassin said:

Tommy!
Lol….even a blind squirrel….yadayadayadya
detroit_irish
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I was thinking more about those giving Pyne a pass because of inexperience. Giving Buchner a pass because he's young. To a lesser degree Angeli. Meanwhile other teams seem to have lots of success with young guys.
Rwolf101
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mattfreeman said:



Needed an improbable Pyne scramble to keep it from being DOA.
jjh041758
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Did I miss something - is Estime hurt?
Sgt Hulka
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I just sacrificed a live chicken. We're getting a turnover this drive.
Wiggs4Irish
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Let's go D
mattfreeman
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Staff
Jordan Botehlo!
mattfreeman
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Staff
3-and-out!
Rwolf101
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Does Liaufu running in an inflexibly straight line 2 yards west of the qb count as a havoc play?
mattfreeman
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Staff
Brandon Joseph has agility!
krkmd
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Special teams have been upgraded overall.
Sgt Hulka
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3 great defensive stops in a row
Rwolf101
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Sgt Hulka said:

I just sacrificed a live chicken. We're getting a turnover this drive.

Poor Mr. Cluckers died in vain
mattfreeman
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Staff
Jet sweep/pass with Michael Mayer lol
REMND
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Crowd is out of the game presently
thandreoli
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We're better without Bertrand in there..
mattfreeman
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Staff
Audric Estime!
Sgt Hulka
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Rwolf101 said:

Sgt Hulka said:

I just sacrificed a live chicken. We're getting a turnover this drive.

Poor Mr. Cluckers died in vain
I got 4 more lined up. I'll hit on one of these some *****es
REMND
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Looked like a tank
Rwolf101
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Even if Diggs is healthy, Tyree and Estime clearly need most of the carries
mattfreeman
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Staff
DREW PYNE
ejsjr
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That's the way, boys! Jam it down their throats!
 
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