Notre Dame football: Kyren Williams runs all over UNC in 44-34 victory

Notre Dame football: Kyren Williams runs all over UNC in 44-34 victory

2nd Quarter

North Carolina opened the second quarter with a Ty Chandler touchdown run on a toss play. Replay reviewed and confirmed that he got in, tying the game 7-7.

On Notre Dame’s response drive, Avery Davis became the main target for Jack Coan. Davis converted a couple of first downs for the Irish before Buchner came in to grab another. The drive stalled, though, when a bloody Coan had to throw the ball away. The Irish settled for a field goal, making it 10-7.

Sam Howell’s legs continued to give the Notre Dame football team’s defense fits. The Irish defensive line kept coming just short of getting to Howell, while he ran it effectively on the zone read and designed draw plays all half. A back-shoulder throw on third and long and a tunnel screen got the Tar Heels inside the Irish 10.

A holding call would take seven points off the board, and the drive stalled on an Isaiah Foskey sack. Jayson Ademilola was there for the assist on the sack. North Carolina kicked a field goal to tie the game at 10.

Notre Dame football got the ball back with around three minutes left and they quickly marched to Tar Heel territory, on the back of a big Michael Mayer gain. Notre Dame would stall on the 36, choosing to go for it on 4th down. Coan’s pass fell incomplete, but a facemask on North Carolina extended the drive anyways.

The Irish took advantage, with a back-shoulder touchdown throw to Kevin Austin on the very next play.

A good return gave North Carolina a shot before the half, with only a minute left to play. Confusion with the chains and play clock gave North Carolina a free timeout, and the Tar Heels sliced through the Irish defense with draw plays. Eventually, Howell made a mistake, scrambling and getting tackled in bounds without any timeouts.

After a quick spike, the Tar Heels settled for three to end the first half, making it 17-13.