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Last updated: October 11, 2008 5:13 p.m.

ND-UNC: At The Half...Did You See Golden Tate?

By Michael Rothstein
The Journal Gazette

Golden Tate has an affinity for making the big play. He might have the biggest one of the game so far as Notre Dame leads at half, 17-9.

Sophomore quarterback Jimmy Clausen lofted a ball down the left sideline for Tate, who adjusted his route. It looked like a sure interception for Carolina's Kendric Burney, who Tate had burnt for a touchdown earlier. Burney had the ball go through his arms and Tate, somehow, some way, came up with the ball.

It was a catch that set up a Clausen-to-Michael Floyd touchdown, Floyd's fourth of the year. It ties Duval Kamara for the most touchdown receptions by a freshman. And there's still half a season to play.

Hakeem Nicks is over 100 yards receiving already (seven catches for 116 yards) -- the eighth time the junior has done that in his career. That's a Carolina school record.

Clausen's first half: 16 of 23 for 199 yards and two touchdowns. He almost had a couple passes intercepted, but Carolina players dropped them.

Also, breaking news: Notre Dame can hit a field goal. Brandon Walker made his second field goal this season, a 42-yarder early in the second quarter.

Carolina quarterback Cameron Sexton -- the Tar Heels' starter and No. 2 quarterback -- ran off to the locker room just before halftime after being banged up.

At halftime now, North Carolina is doing something to honor Tyler Hansbrough. Hansbrough's brother, Ben, transferred to Notre Dame this year. More on the Hansbrough celebration later.

STATS OF NOTE: Armando Allen 6 carries, 44 yards. James Aldridge 2 carries, 17 yards. Floyd 4 receptions, 47 yards. David Bruton 5 tackles.

Notre Dame has 260 yards total offense and 14 first downs -- but only three in the second quarter. The Irish are 6 of 8 on third downs.

The Journal Gazette's Assistant Sports Editor Tony Krausz covers The University of Notre Dame. Krausz, a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and a native of St. Louis, has been assistant sports editor since October 2005. Prior to joining the JG, he worked at two papers in Mississippi covering high school and college athletics.