Quincy Porter Out for Season as Notre Dame Turns Attention to North Carolina

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- No. 3 Notre Dame will head to Chapel Hill undefeated, but the Fighting Irish will be without wide receiver Quincy Porter for the remainder of the season.

Head coach Marcus Freeman announced Monday that Porter will undergo season-ending surgery after an MRI over the weekend revealed the extent of his injury.

“Tough news for him,” Freeman said. “He’s a great young man that has really done everything right, and he’s got another setback. But his mind is in the right place, and so he’ll be back at some point here before we know it.”

However, there was better news elsewhere on the injury front.

Safety Luke Talich is off the injury report and is expected to return Saturday against North Carolina. Talich suffered a hand injury against Michigan State that kept him out of Notre Dame’s win over Purdue.

In his absence, freshman Joey O’Brien stepped into a larger role and made the most of the opportunity. Freeman said O’Brien’s performance helped build even more trust between the young safety and the coaching staff.

But with Notre Dame now 4-0, the attention turns to North Carolina and the Irish’s first trip to Chapel Hill of the season.

Freeman compared the Tar Heels’ defense to Wisconsin because of its ability to limit explosive plays. He said North Carolina is a disciplined team that will force Notre Dame to win through execution rather than trying to outscheme its opponent.

“I think you watch the film and they can easily be 3-0,” Freeman said. “Close loss to Clemson. They’re well coached and won’t beat themselves.”

Freeman also pointed to North Carolina’s offense under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Notre Dame faced Petrino’s Arkansas offense last season, giving the Irish some familiarity with his system.

Freeman said one of North Carolina’s biggest strengths has been its ability to start quickly.

“The one thing when you’re looking at the notes from last year and even this year is that they start fast,” Freeman said. “They’re really good on the first drive and they’re running the ball well.”

Notre Dame will look to improve to 5-0 when it faces North Carolina on Saturday in Chapel Hill.

Kickoff is set for noon.