The Irish started the second half in a much different fashion than the first. After shutting down the Tar Heel offense, the Irish capitalized on their running game. sophomore running back Tarean Folston ran for a total of 19 yards on two rushes, while junior wide receiver C.J. Prosise had a 12-yard gain in his second rushing attempt of the season. Irish senior quarterback Everett Golson then found sophomore receiver Will Fuller for a short pass, and Fuller ran the ball for a 35-yard touchdown play.
North Carolina’s next position resulted in a 15-yard field goal after sophomore safety Max Redfield had the tackle on third-and-four. Notre Dame regained possession, but on the first play of the drive, Golson scrambled and Tar Heels sophomore cornerback Brian Walker forced the fumble. North Carolina capitalized on the Irish mishap and scored on a 23-yard touchdown pass to go up 36-35 after the extra point.
Notre Dame was forced to punt on its next drive following Golson’s incomplete pass on third down. After two subsequent false starts, a personal foul on the snapper by the Tar Heels gave the Irish an automatic first down.
Continuing the drive, the Golson opened the fourth quarter with a long pass to Fuller on which the Tar Heels were called for pass interference. An illegal shift and holding penalty pushed the Irish back 18 yards. Golson found Folston once again for a nine-yard touchdown pass. Golson then found senior tight end Ben Koyack for the two-point conversion to take the lead, 43-36.
Irish sophomore cornerback Cole Luke intercepted Williams’s pass intended for sophomore wide receiver Bug Howard. The Irish finished the drive with Folston’s six-yard touchdown run.
The Tar Heels did not back down and responded with a touchdown of their own. North Carolina junior quarterback Marquise Williams completed an 18-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Mack Hollins in the end zone with 47 seconds on the clock. The Tar Heels couldn't recover an onside kick attempt, so the 50-43 score held.
Notre Dame’s 50-43 victory over North Carolina improved its all-time winning percentage to .734, the best in college football history.
