Game Balls: Two players shine in largest win of the Marcus Freeman era
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Notre Dame usually takes care of business against ACC opponents during the regular season. And the Irish earned their paycheck once again Saturday.
Notre Dame (2-2) defeated North Carolina (3-1) 45-32 to achieve its 25th consecutive victory over an ACC foe and fifth straight versus the Tar Heels. With the win, the Irish also scored the most points in the Marcus Freeman era and marked its largest margin of victory.
Inside ND Sports has awarded game balls to the following two players for their performances.
Notre Dame offense: QB Drew Pyne
In the first road start of his career, Pyne was poised throughout the game to lead the Irish to its best offensive performance of the season ... without scoring any points in the first quarter.
Pyne finished his second overall start with career-highs in pass attempts (34), pass completions (24), passing yards (289) and three touchdowns. He found three different receivers for scores.
Notre Dame's starting quarterback executed offensive coordinator Tommy Rees' game plan with excellence. Pyne led the Irish to a season-high 576 total yards, 45 points and six consecutive scoring drives.
Pyne's best run came in the second quarter, with the Irish racking up 261 yards and 24 points. He was 12-16 (75.0% completion) for 154 yards and two touchdowns during that span.
Notre Dame defense: DL Justin Ademilola
Although it was a total team effort slowing down the No. 1 scoring offense in the country, Justin Ademilola may have made Marcus Freeman happiest.
Before Saturday's game kicked off, Notre Dame and Fresno State were the only two teams not to have forced a turnover. Thanks to a Drake Maye fumble on a pressure from JD Bertrand, Notre Dame is without a turnover no longer. Ademilola made the recovery and ran the ball to the sideline to prove it to the entire team.
That play was North Carolina's first offensive snap of the second half and turned the tide of the game. Notre Dame scored on the ensuing drive to take Notre Dame's largest lead (38-14) of the season with 24 points.
Ademilola finished the game with a tackle, one of 23 ND players to record one.
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