The Observer

Issue date: 10/13/08 Section: Irish Insider

Irish sophomore quarterback Jimmy Clausen walks off the field after Notre Dame's 29-24 loss at North Carolina. ALLISON AMBROSE/The Observer

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The clock hit zero before Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen could down the ball inside the 10-yard line. North Carolina players rushed the field. But Charlie Weis had thought there was still time left on the clock.

He was right. Replay officials said there were two seconds left - but they also said Notre Dame didn't have the ball anymore. North Carolina did, giving the Tar Heels a 29-24 victory Saturday over the deflated Irish.

"I'm not saying this to be disrespectful, but that team in that locker room today, it was the first time in a long time where I've looked in their faces against a good opponent and it was a team that really feels bad," Irish coach Charlie Weis said. "And the reason they really feel bad is because they're starting to get it … This is not the same team that everyone saw at the beginning of the year. This team is starting to get it."

The officials initially said freshman wide receiver Michael Floyd was down before he let go of a fourth-down reception at the 7-yard line. North Carolina defensive back Jordan Hemby scooped it up. After review, the officials gave the ball back to the Tar Heels.

"The guys upstairs don't know about when the whistle is blown, so they're not there, whether the play is blown dead or not blown dead," Weis said. "It's a bitter ending, but it is what it is."

Notre Dame had entered fourth quarter with a 24-22 lead, but North Carolina quarterback Cameron Sexton (18-for-32, 201 yards) scored on a 4-yard bootleg just a few seconds into the quarter to give the Tar Heels a 29-24 lead. The score capped a seven-play, 42-yard drive for North Carolina that was set up by a Clausen fumble that was recovered by Tar Heels defensive lineman Aleric Mullins.

Clausen set another career high for yards in a game, throwing for 383 yards on 31-for-48 passing with two touchdowns, but he also accounted for three of Notre Dame's five turnovers. He also threw two interceptions against the Tar Heels, who lead the nation in picks.

"Too many mistakes," Clausen said of his performance. "Too many mistakes to be able win a big game like this. North Carolina's a great team, great defense and I give them a lot of credit."

Continued...

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