Notre Dame still has North Carolina breathing down its neck. However, it’s been able to put a little distance between the teams. It might have taken a little time, but that it happened at all is an accomplishment. The question is whether the Irish’s 24-17 after three quarters will mean anything.
The Irish’s defense kept the high-powered Tar Heels offense in check on the first drive of the second half, but Ben Kiernan punted the ball 62 yards all the way down to the Notre Dame 3-yard line. Ian Book used his passing abilities and also got a little luck with North Carolina defensive penalties, including an offsides call on fourth-and-1 to lead his offense on a time-consuming possession. Eventually, the Irish got into the red zone and then took the lead on a 13-yard touchdown run from Ben Skowronek. Yes, that’s a 97-yard scoring drive we’re talking about.
As crazy as it sounds, Notre Dame shut down North Carolina’s offense again. On the first play of the Tar Heels’ second drive, Justin Ademilola sacked Sam Howell. Though Javonte Williams got some yards back on a 7-yard run, Howell’s subsequent pass to him was incomplete. Can the defense keep this going for 15 more minutes?
The defense will need to keep making plays if the offense can’t support it. Book found Javon McKinley for a 53-yard reception to get into the red zone. The drive stalled, and Doerer shanked a field-goal attempt from 32 yards, the same distance he hit from to end the first half. Luckily, the defense responded by not allowing the Tar Heels past their own 42.