UNC's Offensive Nitty Gritty Versus Notre Dame

North Carolina’s offense had its worst day of the season in Friday’s 31-17 loss to second-ranked Notre Dame at Kenan Stadium.

The Tar Heels finished with 298 total yards, which was 265 below their season average entering the game, and Carolina failed to score in the second half. In fact, UNC scored just three points over its last nine possessions.

Here is a breakdown of the Tar Heels’ offensive stats from their loss to Notre Dame:

Player grades (Only players with 10-plus snaps and that graded higher than 60.0 are noted):

Michael Carter 88.2; Sam Howell 75.0; Dyami Brown 73.5; Emery Simmons 66.3; Javonte Williams 62.7; Dazz Newsome 62.3.

*UNC ran the ball 30 times for 87 yards, which includes six sacks that cost it 21 yards. It’s adjusted rushing total was 24 attempts for 108 yards, which is 4.5 yards per attempt..

*UNC had one four runs of 10 or more yards: Carter 2; Williams 1; Howell 1.

*Of UNC’s 14 first downs, five came on the ground: Carter 2; Howell 2; Williams 1.

*112 of UNC’s rushing yards came after contact: Carter 48 of 57; Howell 38 of 2 (noted yards lost on sacks); and Williams 26 of 28.

*The Tar Heels avoided 10 tackles: Carter 5; Howell 3; Williams 2.

*Left end: 3 attempts for minus-1 yard (.03 average), 1 TD, 1 first down, long of 1 yard.

*Left tackle: 2 attempts for 4 yards (2.0 ave), long of 3 yards.

*Left guard: 3 attempts for 39 yards (13.0 ave), 2 first downs, two 10-plus runs, long of 26 yards.

*Between LG&C: 4 attempts for 24 yards (6.0 ave), 1 first down, one 10-plus run; long of 16 yards.

*Between C&RG: 3 attempts for minus-2 yards (.07 ave), long of 0 yards.

*Right guard: 2 attempts for 3 yards (1.5 ave), long of 3 yards.

*Right tackle: 1 attempt for 9 yards.

*Right end: 2 attempts for 5 yards (2.5 ave), long of 3 yards.

*QB scramble: 3 attempts for 22 yards (7.3 ave), 1 first down, one 10-plus run, long of 13 yards.

*Howell was 17-for-27 with 211 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs, 1 TA, 2 drops, 2 balls batted, 6 sacks, 3 scrambles, 11 first downs and an NFL QBR of 99.5.

*Howell dropped back to pass 19 times under no pressure and was 11-for-19 with 126 yards, 2 drops, 2 batted balls and 7 first downs.

*Howell dropped back to pass 17 times while under pressure and was 6-for-8 with 85 yards, 1 TD, 6 sacks, 1 TA, 3 scrambles and 4 first downs.

*Sacks allowed (6): Jordan Tucker 2; Carter 1. (three not charged)

*QB Hurries allowed (14): Asim Richards 5; Brian Anderson 5; Howell 2; Marcus McKethan 1; Garrett Walston 1.

*Howell was 7-for-7 with 79 yards on passes thrown behind the line of scrimmage.

*Howell was 5-for-8 with 40 yards on passes thrown between 0-9 yards downfield.

*Howell was 3-for-8 with 41 yards and 1 TD on passes thrown between 10-19 yards downfield.

*Howell was 1-for-1 with 51 yards on passes thrown 20 or more yards downfield.

*Dazz Newsome was targeted 8 times with 6 receptions for 64 yards, 4 first downs, 2 drops and a long of 20 yards.

*Dyami Brown was targeted 6 times with 4 receptions for 84 yards, 4 first downs and a long of 51 yards.

*Emery Simmons was targeted 4 times with 2 receptions for 11 yards, 1 TD, 1 first down, and a long of 6 yards.

*Javonte Williams was targeted 3 times with 2 receptions for 10 yards and a long of 8 yards.

*Michael Carter was targeted 1 time with 1 reception for 23 yards and a first down.

*Garrett Walston was targeted 1 time with 1 reception for 9 yards.

*Josh Downs was targeted 1 time with 1 reception for 10 yards.

*Some of these stats are courtesy of PFF.