Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/400621
BY DOUGLAS FARMER S ophomore wide receiver Corey Robinson was too wide open. At the very least, the side judge thought he was, courtesy of sup- posed interference by junior slot receiver C.J. Prosise. Just like that, Robinson's game-win- ning touchdown was wiped off the scoreboard with only 13 seconds re- maining. When senior quarterback Ev- erett Golson's next pass attempt — from the 18-yard line after the 15-yard penalty — was intercepted, No. 2 Florida State was a simple kneel down away from a 31-27 victory and extending its winning streak to 23 games. "We were one play away," said Robin- son, who finished with eight catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns. "When you score like that, with time expiring, you thought you won the game. That's heartbreaking." The No. 5 Fighting Irish (6-1) took possession with 2:53 left on the clock, trailing by four and needing to cover 49 yards to win the game. Nine plays later, the Irish faced second-and-goal on the Seminoles' 8-yard line with 21 seconds to go. Golson looked to Prosise, only to have a well-placed slant bounce off his hands. Golson went to him the next play and the completion gained six yards, setting up Robinson's heroics. Three Notre Dame receivers — Robin- son, Prosise and sophomore Will Fuller — lined up in a bunch on the right side of the field. At the snap, Prosise and Fuller embarked on routes into the end zone, battling Florida State defensive backs in press coverage, while Robinson slipped into the flat, running parallel to the goal line. Golson's completion to the sopho- more couldn't have been easier. It was, in fact, too easy, with a flag following moments later and offensive pass inter- ference assigned to Prosise. "We execute that play every day," head coach Brian Kelly said. "We do it legally, and that's the way we coach it. TOUCHDOWN INTERFERENCE Notre Dame's game-winning score in the final seconds is negated by a penalty, preserving Florida State's 31-27 victory