No. 9 Notre Dame Squeezes Out a Victory Against Florida State in a Nail-biter
September 6, 2021
In a very back and forth game the Fighting Irish defeated the Seminoles 41-38 with an overtime game-winning field goal by Jonathan Doerer.
With a lot of questions surrounding the Irish and the biggest one being how would they replace the winningest Quarterback in team history Ian Book, the Irish may have found their answer. Transfer and 5th year QB Jack Coan from Wisconsin threw for 366 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Notre Dame spread the wealth around and did it best in the passing game, as the Irish are usually a run-first team. Michael Mayer, the sophomore Tight end, caught 9 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown and became Coan’s reliable target throughout the game.
The defense under new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman was flying around in this one for the Irish as they had 3INTs and 5 sacks.
Florida State went off in their rushing attack, totaling 264 yards and 3TDs in rushing offense. Led by QB Jordan Travis the Seminoles trailed Notre Dame in the 4th quarter.
Late in the game, Travis had to come out due to his helmet coming off and in came former UCF QB McKenzie Milton who hadn’t played in a game since 2018 due to a gruesome leg injury.
Milton proved to be the extra jolt the Seminoles needed as he led them down late in the 4th quarter to tie the game and take them into overtime. The jolt wouldn’t prove to be enough in a wild OT that involved a missed field by the Seminoles.
Both teams have things to improve from this game, as Notre Dame completely took their foot off the gas on offense and defense in the 4th quarter which led to the Seminoles comeback.
https://youtu.be/BE_-W4fXc0k (2:41)
Florida State will need to work on their consistency and will have to face the question of who they will start at QB in week 2 against JSU.
Notre Dame will face Toledo in week 2.