Five takeaways from UNC's loss to No. 3 Notre Dame
· Yahoo Sports
The North Carolina Tar Heels were a 21-point underdog entering Saturday's football matchup with third-ranked Notre Dame. UNC fans hoped for a win, but prepared for a major blowout instead.
That possibility seemed very likely midway through the second quarter, with the Fighting Irish one yard away from a 3-touchdown lead. Instead, North Carolina's defense forced a turnover on downs and, 15 plays later, scored a touchdown and closed its gap to seven points.
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Despite playing close with Notre Dame throughout, the Tar Heels committed too many mistakes in a closer-than-expected, 37-26 loss.
UNC (2-2, 0-1 ACC) forced the Fighting Irish (5-0) to punt on their first possession, then marched 74 yards for a score on its first drive and a 7-0 lead, thanks to a Billy Edwards-Shamar Easter connection. Notre Dame quickly changed momentum, scoring on its next three possessions, en route to an afternoon it racked up 475 yards.
The Tar Heels had their moments defensively, but largely struggled against the Fighting Irish, lacking that shutdown ability from their first three games. Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr totaled five touchdowns, Notre Dame ran for a season-high 234 yards and wore down North Carolina late.
UNC's offense found a way to crack the formidable Fighting Irish defense, which allowed a season-high 26 points. Jelani Thurman caught a pair of touchdowns, while Jaden Jefferson returned the second-half opening kickoff 98 yards for a score.
As the Tar Heels process today's loss, take a look at our top five takeaways.
Notre Dame took advantage of UNC's turnovers
Great teams turn mistakes into points. Edwards tossed a pair of first-half interceptions, with both leading to Fighting Irish touchdowns.
The very next play after Edwards' first pick, Carr completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Greathouse. Nine plays after Edwards' second INT, Carr connected with Jordan Faison on a deep, 39-yard touchdown.
Take these turnovers away, UNC probably pulls another shocking upset.
North Carolina can compete with the big dogs but struggles to finish
A first-drive touchdown. Maintaining a touchdown deficit throughout most of the afternoon. UNC responded to virtually every Notre Dame punch.
The Fighting Irish wore the Tar Heels down late, using their power run game to the tune of a season-high 241 rushing yards.
North Carolina has the talent to beat top-end competition. Take away the early turnovers and lack of defense late, UNC is that much closer to a win.
The Tar Heels' run defense is a problem
The key to beating North Carolina? A strong run game. Jonaz Walton ran for 120 yards, Nolan James added 65, Aneyas Williams contributed 42 and Carr scored Notre Dame's lone rushing touchdown.
Clemson ran for 186 yards on September 19. UNC held ETSU to 77 rushing yards, but TCU running back Jeremy Payne totaled 142 yards.
Five different Pitt players have a rushing touchdown. If the Tar Heels can't stop the run in Pennsylvania, they're staring at a third-straight loss.
North Carolina's pass-catchers are difference-makers
Easter caught his first career touchdown on Saturday, a much-welcomed sign for UNC's already deep pass-catching corps. Thurman continued to showcase himself as a top-rank tight end, catching two more Billy Edwards touchdown passes. WR1 Jordan Shipp broke out for a career-high 109 receiving yards.
Despite a pair of early Edwards interceptions, the Tar Heels can count on virtually anyone to make a play in the passing game.
North Carolina's lack of a run game hurt its offense
Benjamin Hall, Demon June and Jaylen McGill give UNC three RB1s in its deep room. Those three, combined with Edwards, totaled just 77 yards on 23 carries.
With no run game, North Carolina relied heavier on Edwards, who delivered with three touchdowns. Going into Saturday, the Tar Heels needed play-action passes to truly unlock their full offensive potential.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Five takeaways from UNC's loss to No. 3 Notre Dame