Mack Brown passionately defends sideline outburst in key moment vs. Notre Dame

After the North Carolina defense was called for a pass interference on fourth down in the third quarter Saturday against Notre Dame, coach Mack Brown made his displeasure very clear on the sideline.

It appeared the Tar Heels had come away with a pivotal stop to force a turnover on downs, but the flag provided the Fighting Irish a fresh set to work with. Brown vehemently disagreed with the call, throwing his hat and drawing another flag for unsportsmanlike conduct against him as a result.

The pair of penalties gave Notre Dame first-and-goal from the 1-yard line, and it scored on the very next play to increase its lead to 38-17. Mack Brown defended himself for the sideline outburst in his Monday press conference, explaining that he was just trying to stick up for his team.

“Why I was so passionate about the fourth-down call is that changed the game,” Brown said. “If we get a stop there, we’re still in the game with a great lift for our defense. We talked to ’em about turnovers, sudden change plays, and they came out and stopped ’em. Then it’s a very close call and they get the ball and go ahead and score. That was a key play in this ball game. Talking about me and why the coaches wanna come over and grab me. Like I said, I’m not out of control. I’m fighting for my team. That’s what I’m doing. I’m fully in control. I know exactly what I’m doing.

“I didn’t appreciate the call and I was fighting for the team because it’s fourth down. It’s a critical play and they’re in a great shape to have a comeback. The defense is struggling, fighting, man. And I’m trying to fight with ’em. That’s important. (Brian) Hess came over and grabbed me and I said, ‘Don’t touch me. I don’t need anybody grabbing me. I’m not out of control, I’m fighting for my team.’ It’s very simple. Because these guys are struggling and they need support and I’m here to step up and support them.”

Notre Dame went on to claim a 45-32 victory, and Brown looks at that play as the most critical moment in the game. However, he also realizes there was plenty that happened prior to the penalty that is also responsible for the loss.

With 6:15 remaining in the second quarter, UNC scored a touchdown to tie the game at 14. But after that, the Tar Heels allowed Notre Dame to score 10 unanswered points to head into halftime with a 24-14 advantage. Then after allowing a touchdown on the first drive of the second half, UNC fumbled on the ensuing possession.

“We gave up 24 points in the last five minutes of the first half and first five minutes of the second half that changed that game,” Brown said. “It was 14-14 and we gave them opportunities. They scored 10 points before the half and part of it is they scored a touchdown to make it 21-14. We’ve got to go back and score offensively and we have three quick plays and out and give them a short field goal. So offensively, we’ve still got to help. Then we come back out and you have to stop them to start the third quarter and they drive 75 yards for a touchdown, which you cannot do if you’re gonna win the game. Then we fumble the first play and they go score.”

The loss was the first of the season for North Carolina, as its record dropped to 3-1. The Tar Heels will hope to turn things around in Week 5, when they face Virginia Tech at 3:30 p.m. ET in Chapel Hill.