The third quarter featured a lot of what you would expect in a college football game. Through it all, Notre Dame and North Carolina both refused to go away quietly. The good thing about it is the Irish have a 31-27 lead heading into the final frame.
The Tar Heels needed only five plays to open the second-half scoring as Ty Chandler ran 53 yards to give his team its first lead. Not to be outdone, the Irish struck back with an even quicker drive of three plays. Kyren Williams ran for 14, yards, Jack Coan completed a 40-yard pass to Lorenzo Styles, then Coan ran (yes, ran) 21 yards for a touchdown to take the lead right back. It appeared defense was going to be optional this quarter.
The Irish forced a three-and-out on the next possession, but that only was determined after the officials overturned a first down on a review that took far too long for anyone’s liking. The important thing was the Irish got the ball back, and it was another successful drive. Along the way, they lost Williams to injury for the time being, and Coan found Styles again on a 25-yard completion. While it eventually took three plays for the Irish to punch it into the end zone on first-and-goal from the 2-yard line, the touchdown came on a beautiful jump from Logan Diggs.
When the defense returned to the field, J.D. Bertrand was called for roughing the passer, and it proved costly. Sam Howell subsequently completed a couple of passes for solid yardage before hitting Antoine Green for a 33-yard touchdown. It was a reminder that you cannot give this offense a shorter field. The Irish’s offense then went three and out, and Jay Bramblett punted the ball only 33 yards before it went out of bounds to set the Tar Heels up at their own 40.
Howell ran 11 yards for a first down in which he eluded one Irish tackler after another. It looks like he’s ready to prove a lot as this game reaches the fourth quarter. Kyle Hamilton’s is looming larger with each passing minute.