Notre Dame Extends Winning Streak
CJ Carr and Ground Game Propel No. 3 Notre Dame Past UNC
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No. 3 Notre Dame pushed past North Carolina 37-26 on Saturday to extend its winning streak to 15 consecutive games. Quarterback CJ Carr accounted for five total touchdowns—four passing and one rushing—as the Fighting Irish dominated the second half with a season-best 241 rushing yards TSN. The victory keeps Notre Dame unbeaten and solidifies its position near the top of the College Football Playoff picture.
North Carolina briefly threatened an upset with a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown early in the second half that cut Notre Dame's lead to 21-20. But the Tar Heels couldn't sustain the momentum. Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. threw three touchdown passes but was intercepted twice, while UNC managed just 77 rushing yards against Notre Dame's nation-leading defense Herald Sun.
Carr and the Ground Game Take Over After Halftime
Notre Dame controlled the third quarter with a grinding 17-play drive that lasted over nine minutes and covered 75 yards. The Irish racked up 122 rushing yards in that quarter alone, establishing physical dominance. Running back Jonaz Walton led the team with 120 yards on the ground, while Nolan James Jr. added 65 yards and caught a 6-yard touchdown pass Charlotte Observer.
CJ Carr's dual-threat ability proved essential to Notre Dame's second-half success. The quarterback threw for 234 yards and four touchdowns while also scoring on the ground with a fourth-down rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Jordan Faison caught eight passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns, giving the Irish multiple scoring weapons to exploit News Observer.
UNC's Defense Crumbles Against Notre Dame's Power Running
North Carolina entered the game knowing it faced the nation's No. 1 overall defense, but the Tar Heels struggled most against Notre Dame's rushing attack. UNC allowed 241 yards on the ground—a season high for the Fighting Irish—and couldn't establish a defensive rhythm despite Edwards throwing three touchdown passes SI
The rain and wet conditions at Kenan Stadium made running the ball easier for Notre Dame while complicating UNC's pass protection. Edwards was intercepted twice as North Carolina tried to keep pace through the air. The Tar Heels' goal-line stand early in the game represented their best defensive moment, but Notre Dame's methodical ground attack overwhelmed them later News Observer.
Notre Dame's 15-Game Winning Streak Remains Dominant
The victory marks Notre Dame's 15th straight win, all by double digits of 10 points or more. This streak ties a historic standard in college football history TSN. The Fighting Irish remain unbeaten at 5-0 and sit firmly in playoff contention alongside No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Alabama.
Notre Dame's defense entered the game ranked second nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 8.3 points per game. Despite a momentary lapse when Jaden Jefferson returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown early in the second half, the Irish defense stiffened when it mattered most, with linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa recording an interception to seal the game Herald Sun.
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