by Aaron Beard, Associated Press
CHAPEL HILL—Ian Book kept No. 2 Notre Dame’s offense moving while the Fighting Irish defense locked down Sam Howell and No. 25 North Carolina’s potent offense for the final three quarters on a 31-17 victory on Friday.
Book threw for 279 yards and a score and ran for 48 yards for the Fighting Irish (9-0, 8-0 ACC, No. 2 CFP), using his mobility and elusiveness to keep plays alive on a night when both offenses frequently faced long fields.
Receiver Ben Skowronek got Notre Dame its first lead with his 13-yard run around the right side midway through the third quarter. Kyren Williams ran for 124 yards — including a 47-yarder with about 5½ minutes left as the Irish burned clock and sealed the game
Williams closed that drive with his second rushing TD, a clinching 1-yarder with 1:20 left that kept the Fighting Irish alone atop the ACC standings ahead of No. 4 Clemson and No. 10 Miami.
More impressively, though, was a defensive effort that forced Howell and the high-scoring Tar Heels to work for every gain after the opening quarter.
UNC (6-3, 6-3) sprinted to touchdowns on its first two drives, but Notre Dame surrendered only one field goal from there. The Tar Heels came in averaging 43 points and 563 yards, yet they were unable to buy time for Howell to push downfield for big gains nor open running lanes for a pair of backs averaging better than 100 yards rushing each in Javonte Williams and Michael Carter.By the end, UNC had finished with a season-low 298 yards while Howell — one of the national leaders in passing yardage and touchdowns — threw for just 211 yards and a score. He also ran for a touchdown.
THE TAKEAWAY
Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish came in with a defense that ranked among the nation’s best by allowing just 85.1 yards rushing and 16.6 points. That unit came up big even after losing safety Kyle Hamilton to a first-half targeting call, sacking Howell six times while surrendering just 87 yards rushing. Meanwhile Book — playing on the field where he made his first career start three years ago — guided Notre Dame to four touchdown drives of at least 75 yards with no turnovers while playing behind a reconfigured line that had lost two starters to injuries.
UNC: Coach Mack Brown had said this game would be a measuring-stick opportunity for his program against a team positioned to reach the four-team playoff. The Tar Heels got off to a fast start, but then struggled to sustain drives and finished with 173 yards after the first two scoring drives. That included being forced to punt on seven of eight drives before turning it over on downs in the final minute.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The Fighting Irish are set to at least stand pat at No. 2, while the loss could knock UNC — which peaked at No. 5 in October — back out of the poll again.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish host one-win Syracuse on Dec. 5 in their home finale.
UNC: The Tar Heels host Western Carolina on Dec. 5, their lone nonconference game added to replace a Sept. 19 visit from Charlotte that was canceled due to contact-tracing quarantines depleting the 49ers offensive line.
Podcasts/Media
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoThe Nest with East Forsyth HC Todd Willert – Season 6 Ep 14 – Tues Nov 19th 2024
Hosted by Rod Funderburk, recorded live from J. Peppers Southern Bar and Grille, Kernersville,...
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoThe Desmond Johnson Show – Weds Nov 20th 2024
The Desmond Johnson Show – Weds Nov 20th 2024 Its High School Football Weds!...
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoTitans Talk with West Forsyth HC Kevin Wallace – Season 5 Ep 11 – Mon Nov 18th 2024
Hosted by JP Mundy. Recorded live from The Playground Golf and Sports Bar in...
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoThis is Whirlie Nation – Season 2 Ep 10 – Mon Nov 18th 2024
Hosted by Mike Fanning, recorded live from Natty Greene’s in Greensboro every Monday in...
ACC Football
-
ACC Football
/ 1 week agoDabo Swinney defends ACC competitiveness, uses Vanderbilt wins over Alabama, Auburn to make point
Published by On3 Clemson earned a hard-fought road win at Virginia Tech on Saturday...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 weeks agoPaul Finebaum weighs in on Mike Norvell hot seat, potential of Deion Sanders to FSU
Published by On3 Paul Finebaum didn’t mince words in evaluating Florida State’s falloff from...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 weeks agoPaul Finebaum assesses damage to Miami, ACC College Football Playoff chances
Published by On3 Paul Finebaum knows Miami did some damage to itself by losing...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 weeks agoDemon Deacons Drop High-Scoring 46-36 Contest to California
Courtesy GoDeacs.com WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Despite a valiant effort to comeback from a 15-point third...
NFL/Carolina Panthers
-
NFL
/ 3 days agoCarolina Panthers sign former first-round DB Caleb Farley to active roster
Published by On3 The Carolina Panthers are signing former first-round pick defensive back Caleb...
-
NFL
/ 1 week agoMiles Sanders injury update: NFL insider reveals latest on Panthers RB’s availability
Published by On3 Carolina Panthers (3-7) running back Miles Sanders is considered day-to-day with...
-
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoPanthers edge Giants in overtime at Munich NFL game
Published by DPA International The Carolina Panthers beat the New York Giants 20-17 in...
-
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoCarolina Panthers lock up RB Chuba Hubbard with 4-year, $33.2 million extension
Published by On3 The Carolina Panthers have come to an agreement on an extension...