Notre Dame quarterback C.J. Carr completed 21 of 29 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Fighting Irish to a 37-26 victory over the University of North Carolina on Saturday at Kenan Stadium. The win improves Notre Dame's record to 5-0, while UNC falls to 2-2 in rainy conditions that affected play throughout the afternoon.
UNC opened the game with a fast start, forcing a punt on Notre Dame's first possession before mounting a seven-play, 74-yard drive. Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. connected with Shamar Easter on a 6-yard touchdown pass to give the Tar Heels a 7-0 lead. Notre Dame responded with 21 straight points, beginning with a touchdown drive and an interception of Edwards deep in UNC territory. Carr then found Jaden Greathouse for a 12-yard touchdown to take a 14-7 lead. Edwards threw a second interception in Notre Dame territory, setting up a 39-yard touchdown pass from Carr to Jordan Faison, which extended the Irish lead to 21-7.
With about seven and a half minutes left in the second quarter, Notre Dame faced fourth-and-goal at the UNC 3-yard line but failed to convert, resulting in a turnover on downs. UNC's offense then executed its best drive of the day, covering 97 yards in 15 plays over more than seven minutes. Edwards connected with Jelani Thurman for a 14-yard touchdown just before halftime, making the score 21-14.
UNC took the field first after halftime and immediately struck back. Jaden Jefferson returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, but an errant snap from the long snapper in the rain prevented the extra point, leaving the score at 21-20. Notre Dame answered with a 17-play, 75-yard drive that included three fourth-down conversions. Carr scrambled outside the pocket to score from 3 yards out on fourth-and-goal.
The Fighting Irish increased their lead on an eight-play, 68-yard drive capped by a 6-yard touchdown pass to running back Nolan James Jr., bringing the score to 34-20 early in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame's defense held UNC in check on the next possession, allowing the offense to settle for a 31-yard field goal by Spencer Porath to extend the lead to 37-20. Thurman scored his second touchdown of the game late in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 37-26, but it was not enough to change the outcome.
Star wide receiver Jordan Faison finished the game with eight receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Carr also rushed for 15 yards and a score. Notre Dame will host Stanford next Saturday, while UNC travels to Pittsburgh.