McKenzie Milton made his return as the Seminoles pushed the ninth-ranked Irish to the brink in overtime in Tallahassee Sunday night. The Seminole faithful filled Doak Campbell Stadium to the brim, as they all echoed the War Chant in a true sign that college football was back.
Though it wasn’t a win for FSU, they shocked many and almost pulled the upset.
Notre Dame started with the ball, getting the chance to draw first blood. They wasted no time as transfer quarterback Jack Coan went four-for-four, passing for 82-yards and a touchdown. The score came on a busted coverage from FSU, which led to Michael Mayer being wide open 20 yards downfield and Coan found him for a 41-yard TD score.
The Noles’ opening possession was much less productive. Starting quarterback Jordan Travis’ first pass was a completion to Jashaun Corbin for a five-yard loss. Travis’ second completion went for 10 yards. However, it was called back for an ineligible man downfield, erasing the completion. As fourth down rolled around, the Noles were faced with a 4th and 20, punting from their own endzone.
FSU’s first two drives would result in a net total of -19 yards. That all changed on their 3rd drive of the game as Corbin took the second play from scrimmage through the gut. He made a few guys miss on his way to the right sideline, and then he booked it 89-yards to the house. This tied things up at seven with 5:06 left to play in the 1st quarter.
A clear shift in momentum could was apparent as the packhouse at Doak cranked up. The FSU defense came on the field amped and would force a turnover on downs. It came as the Irish elected to go for it from the FSU 45 yard line facing a 4th and 1, coming fractions of an inch-short.
Despite the momentum swing, Travis continued to struggle. He took two sacks on the ensuing possession as the offensive line of FSU struggled to find their footing. Thus, forcing Travis to use his legs nearly every play early on. After their drive stalled out just past midfield, Norvel elected to play field position and punted on 4th and seven.
This would pin the Irish back at their own seven-yard line. The Noles defense kept the pressure on, forcing a quick three-and-out, leaving Notre Dame to punt from their own endzone. The punt wasn’t great as it floated for 40ish yards before taking a Seminoles bounce before it was downed with a net 38 at the ND 45 yard line.
Travis was eager to brush off the early gameplay and get to work. He connected with Malik McClain for a 21 yard gain, moving the offense quickly back to the line. Two plays later, Lawrance Taofili took a carry 20 yards for a first and goal for the Noles at the two. Then Travis was able to roll out and run it to the right goal-line pylon for the score, giving FSU a 14-7 lead with 10:09 left in the half.
Notre Dame would answer on their ensuing possession as Cian led the Irish on a 10-play 46-yard drive. They would cap it with a 48-yard Jonathan Doerer field goal.
Travis was picked off on the following possession. One of three picks he would throw in this one. The Irish quickly converted the turnover into points as Cian connected with Joe Wilkins JR. for a 23-yard TD score.
This gave Notre Dame a 17-14 lead, which they would carry into the half.
The Noles opened the second half with a quick strike to regain the lead. It would come on the third play of the drive, with Travis connecting with Ja’Khi Douglas who would use his legs to finish off the 60-yard score.
Coan answered right back, leading the Irish in a 75-yard four-play scoring drive, connecting with Kevin Austin Jr. for a 37-yard score. The Irish defense stood talk as Kyle Hamilton tracked FSU’s Travis as he streaked across the secondary laterally to make an incredible interception.
Notre Dame kept the pressure on, putting together a seven-play, 69-yard scoring drive to go up 31-20 over the Noles.
The Seminoles would face a 4th and 2 at their own 33-yard line and head coach Mike Norvell elected to go for it. Travis was picked off for a third time, setting the Irish up in incredible field position.
It would then take just three plays before Chris Tyree took it in from one yard out to make it an 18 point lead for Notre Dame with 4:37 left to play in the 3rd.
FSU answered with the game’s most time-consuming drive of the game. They ate 5:50 off the clock, driving 75 yards downfield, punching it in for a score on an eight-yard pass from Travis to Andrew Parchment. This cut the deficit to 10 with 13:42 left to play.
Needing a stop, the Seminole defense stood tall and returned possession back to their offense six plays later. Travis again got to work, leading the offense downfield. On 1st and 10 from their own 48-yard line, Travis would lose his helmet, sidelining him for a play.
Out trotted McKenzie Milton, who was told by many doctors he would be lucky if he could walk after a devastating knee injury at UCF on November 23rd, 2018. Now here he was quarterbacking the Noles on an imperative drive. He took the snap and threw a dime to Ja’Khi Douglas for 22-yards and the place went nuts.
Norvel elected to keep Milton in with the hot hand and the world watched a miracle in action. Milton would lead the Noles into goal-to-go, before handing off the ball to Treashaun Ward, who took it in for a two-yard TD score. Milton went four for four passing on the drive as the Noles edged closer at 38-35 with 5:36 left to play.
FSU’s defense stood tall once again and forced a quick punt, putting the ball back into Milton’s hands. He would command a 10-play 46-yard drive that set up a 43-yard game-tying field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald with just 40-seconds to play.
With Notre Dame unable to get into scoring position and Cian throwing a desperation pick on the final play of regulation, this Sunday night thriller was headed to overtime.
The Seminoles would get possession first. On 3rd down, Milton would fumble after pump faking a defender and get on top of the fumble. This setup a 50-yard field goal. However as the snap went, Norvel was running down the sideline signaling to the ref for a timeout which they awarded the Noles, as Fitzgerald drilled through the field goal.
However, Norvell would challenge the fumble and it would be successful as replay confirmed an incomplete pass by Milton, not a fumble. This would set up a 37-yard field goal, of which Fitzgerald would push just wide left.
Notre Dame would then take over and four plays later Jonathan Doerer knocked through a 41-yard overtime game-winner.
It was much more than most expected as the Noles held strong, battled back, and pushed the Irish into OT. On a night where they honored Bobby Bowden, and Milton made his return. The Noles didn’t get the win, but in many ways, it seemed like they got their pride back and are building something that could be special in Tallahassee.
Notre Dame will head back to South Bend to host Toledo this weekend. While the Seminoles will welcome in Jacksonville St. this weekend on the 11th with an 8 pm EDT kickoff.
The question is though, who will be starting under center?
Written by Adrian Beecher
