Notre Dame 50 North Carolina 43
North Carolina could probably apply a famous Vince Lombardi quote “We didn’t lose the game we just ran out of time”. They gave ND all they could handle, especially their QB M. Williams who accounted for 132 net rushing yards out of a total of 195. Of course the Irish also did everything they could do to give the game away right at the outset – here’s 14 points for visiting us on this nice Fall day.
Game Stats:
- 1st downs ND 27 NC 30
- Net Rush ND 219 NC 195
- Net Pass ND 300 NC 326
- Total “O” ND 519 NC 521
Statistical dead heat but ND hung on when Ben Koyack caught the desperation on-side kick to seal the game. Koyack also caught the critical 2 point conversion pass.
QB Golson is an enigma, he had a dreadful start to this game resulting in 14 immediate points for Carolina. Way too much thinking with Kelly trying to turn him into a pocket passer, when he clearly is not. Kelly should just let him play his school yard game and when in doubt Golson should just run.
It doesn’t help when the opponent nose guard pushes the ND center right back in his face. More disturbing is the number of hits he’s taking. He looked injured at one point.
In this game Golson looked distracted or disoriented at the start and only broke out of it when he broke out of the pocket to run or pass. He really still has a problem holding onto the ball, easily stripped and I don’t know if there is any cure for that at this point.
Folston is the clear number one RB and he got his 100 yards. All 3 backs had a rushing TD, but Folston is rising out of the pack. He got the game ball and has earned the right to start against FSU.
This team is way too tense at the start of games and Kelly feeds that since he is tentative in his play calling and uptight which the players must pick up.
Now the OL – Center Hegarty is simply not strong enough to handle an aggressive NG. If Nick Martin’s hand ever heals they gotta move him back to Center but 6 games in – do you do that? I would.
DC Brian VanGorder got his first look at how an uptempo spread attack is supposed to work. He could not get his sub packages in which is the primary reason to go fast and uptempo – just ask Nick Saban. VanGorder’s “D” gave up 521 yards to a 2-3 team. No better way to wear out a DL than to play fast and keep them on the field.
I think Carolina turned a page in this game and should feel uplifted that they played the number 6 rated team to a standstill.
- WR Fuller will be an All American before he’s done.
- Golston just dropped out of any Heisman discussion.
- Austin Collingsworth foot ball career at ND is over following a dislocated shoulder that everyone watching the re play felt.
It’s just too bad that ILB Jarret Grace probably is done. We certainly could have used a big LB to stop the runs up the middle.
Sitting at 6-0 at mid way with FSU next.