Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/400621
FLORIDA STATE RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE The Seminoles do possess an effective goal-line power package led by 225-pound senior Karlos Wil- liams (eight carries for 25 yards and two touch- downs), but otherwise the Irish front seven con- trolled the line of scrimmage, including limiting freshman Dalvin Cook to 20 yards on 12 carries. If you would have told us before the game that the Irish would outrush Florida State 157-50, our pick would have been Notre Dame to win the game. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame FLORIDA STATE PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE Redshirt sophomore quarterback Jameis Winston was held in check the first half (8-of-15 passing for 92 yards with a touchdown and an interception), but was virtually flawless in the second. He completed his first 13 passes after intermission and 15 of 16 overall for 181 yards while directing touchdown marches on three of the first four FSU possessions. The Seminoles especially did a good job of adjust- ing to the Irish blitzing linebackers with crossing pat- terns to the vacated spots. All-time FSU receptions leader Rashad Greene (eight catches for 108 yards and one score) was going to make his share of plays, but the crucial X-factor difference was 6-2 freshman Travis Rudolph, who had only 11 catches the first six contests but had six for 80 yards and a score versus Notre Dame. ADVANTAGE: Florida State NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. FLORIDA STATE RUN DEFENSE The Irish made a commitment to the run, includ- ing an almost unheard of six consecutive designed running plays (for 41 yards) on their first touchdown drive. Sophomore running back Tarean Folston (21 carries for 120 yards) found a rhythm for the second ON PAPER REVISITED BY LOU SOMOGYI Notre Dame's front seven, including sophomore defensive lineman Isaac Rochell (on the ground), limited Florida State to just 50 yards on 26 rushing attempts (1.9 yards per carry). PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA