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Five old Notre Dame photos for a Friday — North Carolina on my mind

Bless your timeline with this game from 2006

By Joshua Vowles
North Carolina Tar Heels v Notre Dame Fighting Irish
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 4: Center Scott Lenahan #64 of the North Carolina Tar Heels gets ready to hike the ball against Trevor Laws #98 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on November 4, 2006 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Happy Friday everyone! I have access to thousands and thousands of Notre Dame Fighting Irish photos, and will never use a small fraction of those on this site. The thing is though — I want to, and I’m going to give it a solid shot as a way to bless the beginning of the weekend throughout the season.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are coming to South Bend, and while there have only been twenty-one games played in this series, this will be the sixth time in the last 15 years. Rather than go through a handful of those games, let’s take a look at just one of them... let’s take it back to 2006.

Part of TEU

Notre Dame is widely considered to be TEU (even if it’s mostly just by Irish fans) but one of those great tight ends rarely gets enough credit. John Carlson never slips off of the tongue as easily as a few others, but he was wildly productive during his time in South Bend. Against UNC in 2006, he caught 8 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.

Football - NCAA - Notre Dame vs. North Carolina
Notre Dame tight end John Carlson (89) with a touchdown reception during the first half of the North Carolina Tar Heels versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish game at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. Notre Dame leads North Carolina at the half 31-13.
Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images

That’s a nice day

Jeff Samardzija was THE TRUTH during the 2005 and 2006 seasons for the Irish. He absolutely torched UNC that day with 6 receptions for 177 yards and 1 touchdown.

North Carolina Tar Heels v Notre Dame Fighting Irish
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 4: Jeff Samardzija #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish carries the ball during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on November 4, 2006 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

God mode level

Brady Quinn was phenomenal in this game as he went 23 for 25 for 346 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was so good that he gave himself a pat on the ass for the effort.

North Carolina Tar Heels v Notre Dame Fighting Irish
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 4: Quarterback Brady Quinn #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish listens to head coach Charlie Weis during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on November 4, 2006 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Legend

There are a handful of players that I can post about at any given time, and the social media interaction goes insane. Tommy Zbikowski is one of those players. A fan favorite that will forever be considered a legend, Tommy had one of those days against UNC with a 53 yard punt return for a TD. So good.

North Carolina Tar Heels v Notre Dame Fighting Irish
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 04: Tom Zbikowski #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs past Ryan Taylor #49 of the North Carolina Tar Heels while returning a punt 53 yards for a touchdown on November 4, 2006 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GOAT

Without question the best NFL prospect on the field that day in 2006 was long snapper J.J. Jansen WHO IS STILL COLLECTING CHECKS IN THE NFL. Jansen played his rookie year in 2008 with the Green Bay Packers and then has played every year after that with the Carolina Panthers. GOAT.

North Carolina Tar Heels v Notre Dame Fighting Irish
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 4: J.J. Jansen #61 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish jogs on the field during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on November 4, 2006 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

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