NOTRE DAME BIG SECOND HALF AGAINST NC STATE PROPELS IRISH TO FOURTHCONSECUTIVE VICTORY

By: Evan J. Thomas

What can we say now about the freshman quarterback CJ Carr after his performance on Saturday against the NC State Wolfpack?  Carr finished the game completing 19 of his 31 passes for 342 yards along with tosses of 18 yards to K.K. Smith and 12 yards to Will Pauling in the third quarter in route to Notre Dame's 4th consecutive victory as the stomped the Wolfpack 36-7.

Jeremiyah Love took it to the house twice as he tallied 86 yards in the win.  Tight End Eli Raridon snagged 7 catches for 109 yards, Pauling added 4 catches and 105 yards as the Irish relied on Carr and the passing game. 

The Irish offense while leading 10-7 after halftime lined up for a punt on fourth and two at its own 38 yard line.  The Irish pulled some trickery as they had backup QB Tyler Buchner taking the direct snap and diving forward three yards for a huge first down.  That bold move by Marcus Freeman prompted the Irish to get the first score of the second half and taking a 10 point lead.  That was the play that broke the Wolfpack in their loss.   

Early in the season the Irish defense was much maligned but they once again bent but didn't break throughout the game limiting the Wolfpack offense to 7 points.  Irish defense also stymied the nations second leading rusher, Hollywood Smothers as he gained only 46 yards on 12 carries.  

The Wolfpack entered the contest averaging 447.7 yards of total offense per game but only managed 233 yards at Notre Dame Stadium.  The Irish defense has allowed 3 TDs in the last three quarters and have 7 interceptions in the last 2 games compared to 5 picks in the first 4.  

UP NEXT:  Get ready as the USC Trojans come into Notre Dame Stadium holding their heads high after they took down #15 Michigan 31-13 in what will be an electric night in South Bend.