As the game began many were expecting the Seminoles to run away with this game. The game was close through the first half, but the Seminoles would surge ahead at the beginning of the second half. With under 7 minutes left in the game the Seminoles would be up 24-13 over the Fighting Irish.
I was at Notre Dame’s game against Florida State Sunday night. It was a great game. The Irish won in overtime. They had an amazing fourth quarter that included a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown, a fake punt for a touchdown, and four field goals. Sadly, I did not have good cell service at the game, so I did not see the last of these four field goals. They were coming in something like the last ten minutes of the game.
The first game of the 2017-18 college football season was held this past weekend. One of the best teams in the country, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, played the Florida State Seminoles for the right to represent college football in the upcoming bowl games.
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ESPN.com’s Jeremy Willis
The finest game of the weekend was No. 9 Notre Dame vs. Florida State, which ended the opening week of the college football season on Sunday night.
The Seminoles trailed by 18 at the conclusion of the third quarter after an amazing, miraculous comeback (by FSU quarterback McKenzie Milton). FSU’s scoring run, which tied the game and capped an 18-point fourth quarter, was spearheaded by Milton. In the end, the comeback fell short, as Notre Dame triumphed in overtime.
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There were several unusual numbers throughout the game:
The number of days since Milton last participated in a football game is 1,017. Milton was a standout at UCF, where he led the Knights to an undefeated season in 2017 before suffering a horrific leg injury that almost lost him his right leg. Milton completed 5 of 7 throws for 48 yards in the fourth quarter and overtime almost three years later.
Irish quarterback Jack Coan has a total of 366 throwing yards. That’s the most a Notre Dame quarterback has ever thrown in a season opening. Tommy Rees set the previous record of 346 yards in 2013. Since Jimmy Clausen in 2009, Coan is the only Irish quarterback to throw for 300 yards and four touchdowns.
Irish third quarter: Coan wreaked havoc with his long throws, scoring three touchdowns from a distance of 23 yards or more. Coan was 8-for-8 for 175 yards and two touchdowns in the third quarter as Notre Dame extended its advantage. On throws of 10 yards or more downfield, Coan was 7-for-11 for 184 yards.
The amount of running yards for FSU is 264. It’s the first time since 2012 that the Seminoles have rushed for 250 yards against a top-10 opponent.
FSU has a 16-2 record when scoring 38 points or more against a top-10 opponent. The only other defeat occurred in 1971.
From 2004 through 2010, ranked teams went 2,470-3 when leading by 18 or more points in the fourth quarter. Over the last 15 seasons, FSU has four 18-point comeback victories but has yet to add to that total. Notre Dame is currently 68-0 when leading by 18 or more in the fourth quarter during the same time period.
This was Notre Dame’s first OT victory on the road since 1996. In 1996, new overtime rules were implemented.
Reaction on social media
THE IRISH ARE THE WINNERS.
In Tallahassee, there’s an incredible thriller. pic.twitter.com/1dGbt8pvV6
September 6, 2021 — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter)
I despise having to use our kickers! pic.twitter.com/ra5NwkBhnT #FSUvsND
September 6, 2021 — Travis Johnson (@trapj99)
However, allowing Florida State to score 38 points is ridiculous. Sheesh.
September 6, 2021 — Chase Claypool (@ChaseClaypool)
McKenzie Milton returned from a horrific leg injury that had kept him out since 2018 and forced overtime by erasing a Notre Dame double-digit advantage in the fourth quarter. The Seminoles weren’t supposed to win tonight, but Milton is presenting an inspiring tale.
September 6, 2021 — Robert Griffin III (@RGIII)
Wow the Hail Mary’s were being said all over the @NotreDame campus / the Rosary beads were out & the Irish win 41-38 over the gutty @FSUFootball team . Yes leading 38-20 after 3 quarters it would have been a devastating opening game loss but the bottom line ND 1-0
September 6, 2021 — Dick Vitale (@DickieV)
You’ve got the support of the whole country behind you, pic.twitter.com/lz0k1mEMfN KZ#10hana
September 6, 2021 — UCF Football (@UCF Football)
Research from ESPN Stats & Information contributed to this story.
The story of the game started in the 3rd quarter when Notre Dame junior quarterback DeShone Kizer (16 of 27, 269 yards, 1 TD) ran nine yards for his first career rushing touchdown to give the Irish a 7-3 lead. As it turns out, Kizer, who suffered a shoulder injury earlier in the season, did not dress for the game against the Seminoles. So, senior transfer Malik Zaire (15 for 23, 187 yards, 2 TD) made his first career start. The game started out slow for both teams, with the Irish defense forced to play catch up against Florida State’s high octane offense. But, the game turned in the second quarter, when Kizer took a. Read more about notre dame vs florida state women’s basketball and let us know what you think.
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