CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Notre Dame's defense did the unthinkable for anyone who watched North Carolina's offense the past month. The No. 2 Irish shut the No. 25 Tar Heels out in the second half — the first time that's happened during coach Mack Brown's two seasons back, en route to a 31-17 victory on Friday.
The Heels (6-3, 6-3 ACC) operated on a level that could be labeled close to spectacular, scoring 40 or more points in four straight games and more than 50 in back-to-back wins over Duke and Wake Forest.
And the way the game started, it seemed another shootout was in order. But the Irish (9-0, 8-0) proved to be too tough upfront on the defensive line. They constantly pressured UNC quarterback Sam Howell to either rush his throws due to a collapsing pocket around him or try to scramble out.
Howell was sacked six times and held to a season-low 211 yards passing yards just one game after he set a program record with 550 yards and six touchdowns in their win over the Demon Deacons.
Howell had company in his frustrations going against the ACC's top-ranked defense. The Heels could never establish their running game. Both Michael Carter and Javonte Williams were held to season-low rushing totals gaining just 57 and 28 yards, respectively.
The loss effectively ended Carolina's hopes for making the ACC championship game.
Carolina had too many self-inflicted mistakes. In the third quarter, Notre Dame lined up on a fourth-and-1 from its own 24. The Irish shifted and motioned and didn't appear to really have a desire to snap the ball. It seemed to be just an attempt to draw UNC offsides.
Well, the Tar Heels obliged. Nose tackle Raymond Vohasek and linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel jumped into the encroachment area. Although they didn't make contact, officials ruled their movement caused the Irish linemen to react. Instead of a false start, the Heels gave up a first down on the penalty.
That was the break Notre Dame needed. Ben Skowronek's 21-yard reception moved the ball to midfield and a 15-yard catch by Michael Mayer set the Irish up at the UNC 20. Skowronek capped off the 97-yard drive with a 13-yard end around for a touchdown to put the Irish ahead 24-17.
It wasn't the only penalty-aided scoring drive the Heels allowed. Right before half, which has been problematic all season, they had two penalties help the Irish march into field goal range with just 1:10 left in the second quarter.
Carolina was called for defensive holding as the drive began, then moved the Irish into favorable field-goal range when Don Chapman got a pass interference penalty on a third down from the UNC 29.
Notre Dame tied the game at 17 on a 32-yard field goal from Jonathan Doerer as time expired in the first half.
The Irish didn't hurt themselves much, but they weren't perfect. Javon McKinley caught a 53-yard pass to set them up inside the red zone at the UNC 18. They stalled from there and got nothing out of the drive when Doerer pulled a 32-yard field-goal attempt wide right in the third quarter.
The way the game began, it was hard to envision field goals would even matter. Both teams combined to score touchdowns on four of their first five series as the first quarter ended tied at 14.
Carolina extended its success on its opening drives. When the Tar Heels forced a three-and-out on Notre Dame's opening series, they responded with their seventh touchdown drive on their first possession this season.
Carter had a 26-yard gain in the series. Sophomore receiver Emory Simmons capped off the drive by outjumping Notre Dame cornerback TaRiq Bracy to catch a 6-yard score on third and goal.
