These Kids are Winners

In a game that we could have lost easily, the Irish pull it out again by simply outscoring the upset minded Tarheels.  The one thing that Kelly said and I feel sums it up well is that these kids know how to win.  When one considers the 17-14 slugfest last week and now the track meet of yesterday, one has to be impressed with our ability to adjust to the circumstances and pull out a W.

But....

There was a lot to trouble Irish fans.  Turnovers very easily could have cost us the game and Golson simply has to get better on those.  It felt a lot like a repeat of the 2013 Oklahoma game when we spotted NC with 14 early points.  We needed all 50 of our points to catch up.  The formula on how to beat the Irish was on display.  Fluster Golson with exotic and regular blitzes forcing him to make hurried or bad decisions.  Go  hurry up on our young defense to catch them napping.  Those kids were gassed in the second half.  Our tackling was horrible - yards after the initial hit kept many drives alive and we obviously struggled with a mobile quarterback.

But...

Despite all those flaws we came through in the clutch.  Folston had the game of his career and earned the game ball.  Golson bounced back from the early mistakes and led us to 50 points.  The defense forced the critical interception of the game when things were looking pretty grim near the end.  The team never seemed down and kept flying around out there.  It was dangerous to look away because so much was happening.  It is nice to see how different players have stepped up at different times to get us over the top in some close games.  The difference between winning and losing can be very small and we seem to be the ones with the x-factor on our side.  Next week we find out if this is truly a team of destiny.

6-0 and bowl eligible already.  Plan your New Years day party because we will be playing football that Thursday.  It will take six more games to find out where.

Go Irish!  Beat Seminoles!