Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, wide receiver Jordan Faison and running back Jonaz Walton helped the Irish to a road win over North Carolina
CJ Carr accounted for five total touchdowns, and the Notre Dame running game came to life in a 37-26 road win over North Carolina. Carr threw a season high four touchdowns and ran for his third score in as many games to help the Irish (5-0) add to their school record with their 15th consecutive win by double figures.
North Carolina (2-2) had allowed just one passing touchdown through its first three games of the season, but Carr threw touchdowns on three consecutive first half drives to help the Irish hold off an upset bid on a rainy day in Chapel Hill. Carr finished with 234 yards while completing 21 of 29 passes. Jordan Faison was his top target with eight catches for a new career-high 132 yards and a pair touchdowns grabs.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s running game came to life as well. Nolan James, Jr started his second straight game and churned out 65 yards on nine carries. Freshman Jonaz Walton started the second half and led the Irish with 120 of their season high 241 total yards on the ground.
Walton’s day, coupled with Faison’s, gave Notre Dame both a 100-yard rusher and receiver in the same game for the second time in three games. The Irish ran the ball 20 times for 122 yards and possessed the ball for 13:18 in the third quarter.
Edwards hit Shamar Easter with the game’s first touchdown on UNC’s first possession. The easy 6-yard score came on 1st and goal a play after Irish linebacker Jaiden Ausberry was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for ripping off a Carolina offensive lineman’s helmet. It negated what would have been 3rd and goal from the 13. The 7-0 deficit to start the game marked the first time they have trailed this season since a 3-0 deficit to start the season against Wisconsin.
The Irish answered with a crisp 75-yard touchdown drive of their own that was capped by a 28-yard pass to Faison in the end zone. The TD strike was Faison’s fifth catch and sixth target in just two Irish drives.
The Irish took the ball away from the Tar Heels on the first play of UNC’s next series when Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa's interception gave ND the ball at the Tar Heel 12. The pick was forced by a Boubacar Traore hit on quarterback Billy Edwards, Jr. Carr hit Jaden Greathouse on a jump ball in the front corner of the end zone on the first play of the :05 second drive for a 14-7 lead.
Edwards, who finished 17 of 28 for 208 yards and three touchdown passes, injured his shoulder on the hit by Traore but returned for Carolina’s next drive. He tried a deep shot on the sixth play and was intercepted by Luke Talich, who missed last week's game with a hand injury, to give the Irish the ball at their own 22. Carr and Faison connected again with a 39-yard score that Faison finished with a spectacular diving grab as he crossed the goal line for a 21-7 lead.
Walton saw extensive action on Notre Dame’s fifth drive of the game. He accounted for 56 total yards on a drive that was stopped when Carr fired incomplete into the end zone on 4th and goal.
North Carolina took over at its own 3 and marched 97 yards for its second touchdown after Edwards connected with tight end Jelani Thurman for a 14-yard score. Edwards completed his first six passes and finished 7 of 9 for 73 yards on the drive that eclipsed 7:34 on the game clock as rain fell late in the first half.
With heavy rain falling to start the second half, the Tar Heels kept the momentum swinging their way when Jaden Jefferson returned the second half kickoff 98 yards. The extra point try failed and the Irish clung to a 21-20 lead.
The Fighting Irish responded with a 17-play, 75-yard touchdown march that Carr capped with a 3-yard run on 4th and goal. Walton carried the ball 11 times for 57 yards, including two 4th down conversions, on the drive. The extra point failed and the Irish led 27-20 with 5:36 to play in the third quarter.
After the Irish defense forced a 3-and-out, Carr threw his fourth touchdown of the day with a 6-yard swing pass to James at the end of a 68-yard drive. James had six carries for 49 yards before finishing with his third TD catch of the season.
Blake Porath booted a 31-yard field goal with 7:05 remaining to give the Irish a three-score lead at 37-20. The drive used 6:15 on the clock.
The Tar Heels weren’t done though. They drove 75 yards in just 4:29, capping the drive with Edwards’ second touchdown pass of the day to Thurman. Irish cornerback Leonard Moore was shaken up on the play after trying to tackle the tight end on the scoring play. He jogged off after being tended to by the ND training staff. Talich blocked the extra point to make it 37-26 with 2:36 to play.
