5 things you may have missed from Notre Dame’s win over North Carolina

Notre Dame got a bit of a scare from UNC football to start but it was all Ian Book and the Fighting Irish that led the way to a win to remain undefeated.

Notre Dame football improved to 9-0 on the year with a 31-17 win over UNC football who falls to 6-3. In case you were doing some Black Friday shopping or slipped into a food coma after feasting on some delicious Thanksgiving leftovers, here are a few things you missed from the Fighting Irish defeating Mack Brown’s Tar Heels.

Ian Book is making history for Notre Dame football

Ian Book came into the season with a wealth of experience in big games, but he’s been playing at another level since the win over Clemson. He continues to play mistake-free football and make something out of nothing. His improvisation skills is reminiscent of Johnny Manziel and his risk-taking is reminiscent of Brett Favre. Meanwhile, his success rate is reminiscent of Patrick Mahomes.

Just take a look at how Book turned this play into a touchdown.

And later how Book turned this flip into a first down to extend the drive vs. UNC.

Book isn’t going to have numbers comparable to Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Mac Jones or Kyle Trask but his confidence is at an all-time high. And why wouldn’t it? He’s now gone 237 passes and counting since his last interception, that’s now the longest streak in program history.

And Book can etch his name in the Notre Dame football record book again next week with a win. The win over UNC football — the team he made his first start in 2017 — was his 29th victory as a Notre Dame quarterback that ties Tom Clements, Ron Powlus and Brady Quinn for the most all-time. He should become the all-time leader next week vs. Syracuse.

Notre Dame football hasn’t been upset in 30 games

30 consecutive wins as a favorite. 2017 at Stanford was the last time Notre Dame was “upset.” Great teams beat the teams they are supposed to beat. That’s just what Brian Kelly’s team has done so far this year and for the last several years. Upsets happen every week in college football but Notre Dame has been able to avoid the upset since the 2017 game vs. rival Stanford. If they can make it through the regular season unscathed, they’ll be in the ACC Championship Game vs. Clemson who may or may not be the favorite with Trevor Lawrence back despite the regular-season win over the Tigers.

Even LeBron James is impressed with the Fighting Irish

LeBron James is a self-professed Ohio State football fan but he was glued to the TV watching Notre Dame and North Carolina go to work.

The King came away impressed with Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams who ran for a game-high 124 yards and scored two touchdowns, including the clincher with 1:20 for the game’s final score to make it a 31-17 game.

https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1332471941895049217?s=20

Notre Dame defense leads the way for the win

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea put the clamps on the Tar Heels offense. After North Carolina scored two quick touchdowns to start the game, the Irish defense only allowed three points the rest of the way. North Carolina had five straight possessions end with a punt in the second half and their final drive ended in a turnover on downs after a four-and-out to preserve the win. North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell was held to 211 yards and one touchdown on 17-of-27 passing and the Heels were 2-of-11 on third down. After the first quarter, Notre Dame yielded 136 yards for an average of 3.23 yards per play and had seven sacks.

College Football Playoff implications

Notre Dame checked in at No. 2 in the first College Football Playoff rankings, one spot behind Alabama and ahead of Clemson and Ohio State. This win over UNC likely doesn’t change anything for Notre Dame when the rankings are unveiled on Tuesday. Unless Auburn beats Alabama who will be without Nick Saban who is out with COVID, Notre Dame will once again find itself in the No. 2 spot. That said, Notre Dame football fans will likely be rooting for Auburn on Saturday in the Iron Bowl so they come in at No. 1 on Tuesday when the new playoff rankings are revealed.

Up next

Notre Dame hosts Syracuse next week while North Carolina hosts Western Carolina.

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