Notre Dame’s defense shook off the disqualification of star safety Kyle Hamilton and shut down the potent North Carolina offense in the second half as the Irish churned out a 31-17 win on Friday. Ian Book guided the offense on two marathon touchdown drives in the late stages of the game to provide the final margin. The Tar Heels managed only 58 yards of offense after intermission despite gaining 215 yards in the first two periods and scoring 17 points. Notre Dame moves to 9-0 on the season with what can only be described as a total team victory.

The game started out like a track meet as both offenses scored twice on consecutive first quarter marches. Kyren Williams ran for a score and caught a short pass for another in the back and forth sequence. Carolina’s Sam Howell matched him with a touchdown pass to Emery Simmons and a keeper for another touchdown.

Things settled down a bit as the defenses found their footing. Both punters pitched in with outstanding efforts that kept the opposition pinned deep. The Tar Heels eventually broke through for a go-ahead field goal late in the second quarter. The key play was a targeting call on Hamilton on a third and 20 play. The sophomore was ejected and suddenly Notre Dame’s situation appeared to turn bleak.

With just over a minute remaining in the half, Book responded with a well-choreographed march to set up Jonathan Doerer’s three pointer to tie the game at 17 as the clock expired. Book worked the sideline to move the team downfield and Williams added a gravity-defying run to set up the kick.

The Irish front seven laid down the law in the third quarter. In fact, the Tar Heels crossed midfield just once in six second-half possessions as Howell was put under heavy duress. Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s offense kept grinding and ultimately won the war of attrition. When Ben Skowronek’s 13-yard end around capped a 97-yard touchdown drive midway through the third period, the Irish had their first lead of the game at 24-17.

After a three and out by the Tar Heels, Book cranked a long strike to Javon McKinley to enter the red zone. Notre Dame was unable to penetrate further, however, and Doerer shanked a short field goal attempt. Unfortunately for Carolina, it kept running into an impregnable wall as they repeatedly failed to tie the score.

Punters Jay Bramblett (ND) and Ben Kiernan (UNC) continued to dominate into the fourth quarter. While the Irish searched for a clinching score, the Tar Heels tried in vain to pull even. Something had to give, and finally it was Notre Dame that found a way forward.

Starting from his own 11 yard-line with six minutes remaining, Williams took matters into his own hands. The sophomore burst through the line for 47 yards and continued to push the visitors past the tiring Carolina defenders. After a clutch third down completion from Book to little-used tight end George Takacs, Williams finished the march with a one yard plunge. Notre Dame now had the 14-point cushion it needed, and there was only 1:20 left on the clock.

North Carolina’s day ended quietly after failing to record a first down. Irish end Ade Ogundeji capped an MVP performance with a sack, the last of six recorded by Notre Dame in addition to countless quarterback pressures. The rest of the defensive heroes are too numerous to name individually, but the Irish secondary was able to cover extremely well downfield despite the loss of Hamilton.

Let’s review the answers to our pregame questions:

• Will injuries hamper the Irish running game and keep them from controlling the clock? The running game was sluggish early as Carolina defended aggressively, but Notre Dame kept pounding until Williams broke it open late.
• Which team will make crucial mistakes or turnovers? There were no turnovers officially, but the Tar Heels gave the Irish several first downs on ill-timed penalties. The most egregious was jumping offsides on a fourth and one play to springboard Notre Dame to the go-ahead touchdown in the third period.
• Will Notre Dame’s front four be able to disrupt Howell? Not only did they disrupt him, but Howell will be seeing gold helmeted monsters in his sleep for weeks to come.
• Which offense will be able to remain balanced throughout the contest? The Irish were able to run for 200 yards and throw for another 280. UNC ran for just 87 yards and Howell was held to 211 through the air.
• Can the Irish secondary tighten up and prevent long completions? After the shaky first quarter, the team blanketed the Tar Heel receivers and benefitted from the relentless pass rush. In other words, it was great team defense.
• Will Notre Dame win the first and fourth quarters? They managed to hold serve in the first, but definitely won the fourth.
• Which special teams will make a difference-making contribution? Hats off to the punters, who were a bigger part of the game than anyone expected. Doerer missed a short field goal when a high snap threw off his timing, but that was it.
• Can Michigan and Penn State play to a draw and then commit seppuku? Everyone appeared to survive The Misery Bowl in Ann Arbor, although Jim Harbaugh’s coaching career has been placed on a ventilator.

The game eased concerns that the Irish defense had become vulnerable as the season progressed. An extra week off provided the cure the group needed to dominate a high quality offense on its home turf. Two winnable games remain in the regular season, then on to a post season that gives rise to more optimism than Irish fans have allowed themselves in over two decades. If several players including Tommy Kraemer, Braden Lenzy, C’Bo Flemister, Jayson Ademilola and Jacob Lacey return to health, who knows how far this team can go?