Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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straight week, while the offensive line had its best effort of the season in the interior, given the caliber of opponent. Senior quarterback Everett Golson (11 carries for 33 yards) exercised more caution on his runs, falling down to protect himself and the ball several times instead of trying to force an extra yard or two that could have led to trouble. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame NOTRE DAME PASSING GAME VS. FLORIDA STATE PASS DEFENSE Because of the running game's production, play action was effective — including a few "pop passes" over the middle when linebackers crowded the line, as were the usual staple of screens and slants. The longer, vertical attack was handled well by Florida State. Corey Robinson (eight catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns) and Will Fuller (eight catches for 79 yards and a score) rival any sophomore wide receiver tandem in the country. FSU does deserve credit for allowing only 6.0 yards per pass attempt (313 yards on 52 throws). Senior quarterback Everett Golson's elusiveness was best demonstrated on his 20-yard completion to Robinson on fourth-and-18 on the final Irish drive while under great duress. ADVANTAGE: Even SPECIAL TEAMS Florida State had the advantage in kick coverage and returns, including a 17-yard punt return by Ra- shad Greene, a 30-yard kick return by Kermit Whit- field and an out-of-bounds kickoff by Notre Dame senior Kyle Brindza that set up FSU at its 35 on its first touchdown drive. The Irish also started several drives inside their 20, including after a personal foul penalty on sophomore Jacob Matuska that pushed the Irish back to the 12. Brindza's 46-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was followed by pinning FSU inside its 10 with his punt, which nearly helped win the game. ADVANTAGE: Even THIRD-DOWN CONVERSIONS Notre Dame was 6 of 12 in the first half, while Florida State was 0 of 4, a vital component in the 17-10 Irish halftime lead. In the second half, the Irish were only 1 of 6 to finish 7 of 18 (38.9 per- cent), while FSU was 2 of 4 for a final count of 2 of 8 (25.0 percent). On the go-ahead TD drive that made it 31-27, Winston managed to shake off a strong rush by senior linebacker Joe Schmidt on third-and-two that resulted in a 16-yard completion to Travis Rudolph. Then on third-and-two from the Irish 18, Winston found a diving senior Rashad Greene for a 15-yard gain. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame TURNOVERS Although Florida State won this 2-1, it's negligible and misleading. Notre Dame's first interception was followed by Schmidt returning the favor on the next play to set up a 31-yard TD drive (the lone score in the game off a turnover). FSU linebacker Jacob Pugh's second interception came in the end zone on the final play, a fourth-and-goal situation from the 18 in the closing seconds. ADVANTAGE: Even SUMMARY Notre Dame had control of the contest most of the way, with Florida State's first lead coming at the 7:39 mark of the fourth quarter. The Irish ran twice as many plays in the first half (50-24) and 30 more overall (87-57) while outgaining FSU 470-323, includ- ing 157-50 on the ground. But champions like the Seminoles possess great resolve and efficiency, and Winston demonstrated why he was a Heisman winner, asserting himself in the second half every time it seemed the Irish were on the cusp of putting the Seminoles in a two-score hole. Florida State likely punched its ticket to the postseason playoffs, while the Irish showed they are at least on the threshold of becoming a consistent top-10 program. ✦ ON PAPER REVISITED BY LOU SOMOGYI