Should UNC have thrown for the end zone at the end of the 1st half against Notre Dame?
Each week, we’ll look at one key play from the game, and give you the chance to sound off on how you think it should have been called on the field. You can vote as many times as you’d like.
Here’s the situation:
North Carolina trailed Notre Dame 17-10 with 1:37 left until halftime. The Tar Heels used timeouts on their first two drives of the game and their third and final timeout in the half came on defense before the Irish tried to convert a fourth down in the second quarter.
Ja’Qurious Conley set them up with good field position thanks to his 40-yard kickoff return.
The Heels quickly moved the ball into scoring position, taking advantage of the Irish dropping back in pass coverage. Running back D.J. Jones ripped off runs of 14, 8 and 9 yards to move the ball to the Notre Dame 29.
There were still 40 seconds remaining when the ball was snapped and quarterback Sam Howell completed a 13-yard pass to Josh Downs.
On first down from the Irish 16, Howell was forced to scramble out of the pocket. Although he picked up seven yards, he was forced to spike the ball on second down to stop the clock from running.
The Tar Heels had seven seconds left from the Notre Dame 9 to make something happen and UNC coach Mack Brown had a decision to make.
Keep in mind that Carolina was set to receive the opening kickoff in the second half and its offense was in rhythm having scored on its last two possessions.
Seven seconds was enough time to take a shot passing into the end zone and, should it fall incomplete, the Heels potentially still would have had a second left to get a field goal attempt out of it.
Brown elected not to risk a sack or something else going wrong and time running out. He sent in kicker Grayson Atkins for a 26-yard field goal that sent Carolina into halftime down 17-13.
How would you call it?
This story was originally published October 31, 2021 at 1:01 PM with the headline "Should UNC have thrown for the end zone at the end of the 1st half against Notre Dame?."