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THIRSTY FOR A WIN THURSDAY
In just two days, we see if the Notre Dame Fighting Irish can continue being #roadwarriors when they take on the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday afternoon. Riding that wave of momentum would be clutch against another team that is having a relatively down year. We’re looking for a victory, and victories against UNC have been common. Let’s take a look at the all-time series in the Irish-Tar Heels match up.
The Series that is ND-UNC
The Irish and Tar Heels have faced each other on the gridiron a total of 19 times, with the Irish holding onto a 17-1 advantage in the series. Some of you might be thinking, “Hey, Matt. That only adds up to 18 games. What gives?” Well, fine people, we actually should be 17-2 against UNC, but they had their 2008 win against us vacated because of sanctions against them. This was actually before we all found out they didn’t have real classes.
For all intents and purposes, I’m counting that second loss against us. Still, we have been dominant all-time against UNC.
Lowlights
1960: The whole season was a lowlight for the Irish, who lost 8 of their 10 games, and all 8 losses were in a row. They played UNC in Chapel Hill and lost 12-7.
2008: Even though this is a vacated win for UNC, we still lost this game. The 2008 team was very frustrating, and you can see that if you want to sit through all of the highlights from the game in Chapel Hill
Sigh. Another lead we inexplicably let slip away.
Highlights
1975: In Chapel Hill, the Irish were down 14-0, but then made a comeback to win the game 21-14.
2006: Quinn to Samardzija. Also Zibby. They were in rare form that day. It was so great.
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2014: This is technically a highlight because we won, but it was a strange, back and forth game. Forever thankful for a roughing the snapper penalty that saved the game for us. I also was annoyed at how cocky their wide receivers were, so I was very happy we got this W.
Continuing the dominance would be very nice. Go Irish. Beat Tar Heels.