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Notre Dame Football

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

94,970 Views | 944 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by Chicubfannin
toliver0917
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That's pathetic. On 4th and 21?!?!
phm195
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I know the expression makes us all cringe but winning really is hard. Just looking around college football these days. It's all a **** show
Rwolf101
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These refs are dip****s
irishduffy
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MattPaulND said:

irishduffy said:

Love Patterson with his arm around Estime heading to the sideline. Freak fumble. Hard to stop that poke away as you're twisting and falling.
Really?

Yeah, really. What did you see?
blairkiel
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That flag is a joke

F that ref
ndSlaw
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Blitzing there was so dumb... It's 4th and 21... Let them throw under neath, make the tackle, win the game
MattPaulND
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Focus? Effort? Finish?
tvanp63
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Unfreakin believable!!! Yeah
Rwolf101
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blairkiel said:

That flag is a joke

F that ref

Agreed. I don't care about the rule. These refs have been about themselves all day.
tayirish14
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I agree Tommy has called a really good game today. He deserves credit for that. He also deserves the blame for the many games HIS offense has underperformed as well as the recruiting issues that are holding this offense back from competing with any good defense they actually play.
SHAMROCK
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How can we not have two deep safeties.
smoodiver
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I HATE these endings.
irishbronx
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irishduffy said:

MattPaulND said:

irishduffy said:

Love Patterson with his arm around Estime heading to the sideline. Freak fumble. Hard to stop that poke away as you're twisting and falling.
Really?

Yeah, really. What did you see?

In that situation you can't reach. Protecting the ball is job 1. It will be a learning experience.
ndsean44
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Between the officiating, the bizarre defense and offensive miscues after dominating, this is killing my buzz.
ohiondfan
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I still haven't seen the Lorenzo Styles TD lol
dlemire7
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smoodiver said:

I HATE these endings.


Ton of numbers on d I don't recognize. But I think I also drank like 8 beers in the fourth quarter cause it's been forever long
tvanp63
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Cam Hart has not had a good game!
irishbronx
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smoodiver said:

I HATE these endings.

Annoying
toliver0917
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*** was hart doing
ohiondfan
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I, too, prefer happy endings.

smoodiver said:

I HATE these endings.
SHAMROCK
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Or lovely is wrong that is on the safety who focused on the post. Which was covered
Original Bubs
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Lol "you spin my head right round right round"
smoodiver
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A big ole serving of humble pie for our defensive backs today.
BigIrishEnergy69
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Lol what a classic way to finish
toliver0917
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toliver0917 said:

*** was hart doing


Or is that on Bracy? Someone tell me who to be mad at
Wiggs4Irish
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toliver0917 said:

toliver0917 said:

*** was hart doing


Or is that on Bracy? Someone tell me who to be mad at


Cam Hart
MattPaulND
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irishduffy said:

MattPaulND said:

irishduffy said:

Love Patterson with his arm around Estime heading to the sideline. Freak fumble. Hard to stop that poke away as you're twisting and falling.
Really?

Yeah, really. What did you see?
Lead plus more downs equals protect the ball. Freak? Poke? I've seen bread kneading with a harder slap.
ndsean44
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We need to see less Hart and more Ben Morrison moving forward if this is what we're going to get from him. I don't know if he's hurt or if he's just getting smoked, but we need better.
toliver0917
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Wiggs4Irish said:

toliver0917 said:

toliver0917 said:

*** was hart doing


Or is that on Bracy? Someone tell me who to be mad at


Cam Hart


Wasn't sure if hart had underneath and bracy had deep third or half and bailed. Either way horrible horrible on 4th and 21
Blueclaw
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I'm out camping in the woods. I'm just glad ND won.
tvanp63
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Alaskan said:

I'm out camping in the woods. I'm just glad ND won.


True. This season we need to be happy with every W.
irishduffy
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MattPaulND said:

irishduffy said:

MattPaulND said:

irishduffy said:

Love Patterson with his arm around Estime heading to the sideline. Freak fumble. Hard to stop that poke away as you're twisting and falling.
Really?

Yeah, really. What did you see?
Lead plus more downs equals protect the ball. Freak? Poke? I've seen bread kneading with a harder slap.

Yeah he got tripped, spun, put his hand down to try and break the goal line and didn't realize there was a defender with a hand close enough to poke it out. My main point was that it was great to see Patterson with his arm around him heading to the sideline.
TheIrishLegion
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Yes, ND should sometimes have an empty backfield. What kind of dumb offense doesn't include an empty backfield?
Chicubfannin
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tayirish14 said:

I agree Tommy has called a really good game today. He deserves credit for that. He also deserves the blame for the many games HIS offense has underperformed as well as the recruiting issues that are holding this offense back from competing with any good defense they actually play.
Isn't it amazing that when your offensive line dominates - the play caller is brilliant. But when the line can't block anyone, the play caller is an idiot.
 
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