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Notre Dame football: Irish offense will shut down Sam Howell and UNC

By Daniel Morrison

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels shakes hands with head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish after their game at Kenan Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Notre Dame won 31-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels shakes hands with head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish after their game at Kenan Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Notre Dame won 31-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 02: Dazz Newsome #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels catches a 28-yard touchdown pass from Sam Howell #7 (not pictured) against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half of the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 02, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 02: Dazz Newsome #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels catches a 28-yard touchdown pass from Sam Howell #7 (not pictured) against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half of the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 02, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: Irish offense will shut down Sam Howell and UNC

North Carolina Offense

North Carolina has become known for its offense, behind star quarterback Sam Howell. He led them to the 18th ranked passing offense in 2020, along with scoring 41.7 points per game, good for ninth in the country. He didn’t do that alone, though, as North Carolina’s running back by committee method helped keep a balanced offense that ultimately was one of the best in the country.

There is going to be a bunch of talent to replace on offense, though. Running back Javonte Williams ran for about 40% of the Tar Heels’ yards on the ground, but now he’s a Denver Bronco. He isn’t the only running back onto the NFL, though, as Michael Carter of the New York Jets contributed to 44% of the team’s rushing yards last season, meaning North Carolina is missing 84% of last season’s production on the ground.

Dyami Brown, a wide receiver now on the Washington Football Team, contributed to 23% of catches and 30% of receiving yards. Dazz Newsome is off to the Chicago Bears, along with 22% of the team’s catches from last season and 19% of their catches. That means 45% of their catches and 49% of their yards aren’t returning.

Clearly, there is a lot to replace. So, how are they going to do it?

Khafre Brown is a good place to look at first. He was the third-leading receiver last season, averaging 22 yards per catch. That was only his freshman season, though, and he’ll need to build on his 15 total catches.

They also have a solid tight end who will be tough for linebackers to cover in Garrett Walston, who brings experience and a red zone threat. Running back is going to be harder to find a proper answer on, though. Ty Chandler is transferring in from Tennessee, while Josh Henderson saw time in all 12 games last season. There is still a lot of work to be done, though.

The offensive line was just fine last season, but with five starters returning they should be in good shape to show some improvement.

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