College Sports

No. 9 Notre Dame escapes with OT victory Florida State

Posted September 06, 2021 7:00 am

By BOB FERRANTE

Notre Dame kicker Jonathan Doerer (39), right, and Notre Dame holder Jay Bramblett (19) react after making the game-winning field goal in overtime of an NCAA college football game against Florida State Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. Notre Dame won 41-38. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) The Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Notre Dame survived Florida State backup quarterback McKenzie Milton's unlikely comeback on an emotional night when the Seminoles honored Bobby Bowden.

Jonathan Doerer made a 41-yard field goal in overtime and No. 9 Notre Dame escaped with a 41-38 victory after Florida State overcame an 18-point deficit Sunday.

Florida State kicker Ryan Fitzgerald's 37-yard attempt sailed wide left on the first overtime possession, allowing Notre Dame to run a few plays and set up Doerer's kick.

'œWhat's most important is going on the road, winning the opener against a team that presented a lot of challenges,'ť Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. 'œWe know we got work to do, but I like this team. We'll get better and we'll make a lot of improvement in week 2.'ť

Bowden, the coaching great who won two national titles with the Seminoles, died at 91 of pancreatic cancer Aug. 8.

A logo of Bowden's trademark hat and the script 'œBobby'ť was on the 25-yard line, and Florida State coaches also wore logos on their polo shirts. Florida State's Marching Chiefs spelled out 'œBobby'ť on the field at halftime and played 'œAmazing Grace.'ť

Milton, the UCF grad transfer quarterback who hadn't played in a game since suffering a gruesome leg injury in November 2018, fired a 22-yard strike to Ja'Khi Douglas on his first pass.

Treshaun Ward completed that drive by scoring on a 2-yard run, and Fitzgerald tied it with a 43-yard field goal with 40 seconds left. Milton was 5 of 7 for 48 yards with three rushes for 6 yards.

'œIt was time to roll,'ť Milton said. 'œI didn't have time to process any emotions. A job had to be done. God is real. That's the one thing I can say. Nobody's ever come back from an injury like this. Thousands of people praying for me from the moment I got hurt. Coaches believing in me. I'm not here without all the support, all the prayers.'ť

Florida State started the comeback with Jordan Travis connecting with Andrew Parchment on an 8-yard touchdown strike. Milton entered the game when Travis' helmet popped off, and he then found Douglas to keep things going.

Jack Coan completed 26 of 35 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns in his Notre Dame debut. Coan threw touchdown passes to Michael Mayer, Kyren Williams, Kevin Austin and Joe Wilkins. Notre Dame led 38-20 with 4:37 to go in the third quarter.

Florida State has lost five straight season openers and, while the Seminoles rallied, they can also point to three turnovers as well as nine penalties.

Travis threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score. But he also threw three interceptions - two to Notre Dame star safety Kyle Hamilton. The Fighting Irish capitalized all three times by scoring touchdowns.

Jashaun Corbin had an 89-yard touchdown run for Florida State. Corbin finished with 15 carries for 144 yards, pacing the Seminoles' 264 yards on the ground.

Notre Dame was largely ineffective on the ground, rushing for just 65 yards a year after they accumulated 353 rushing yards in a 42-26 win over Florida State.

'œWe got to run the ball better,'ť Kelly said. 'œClearly that will be an emphasis here this week. We're not here to throw the ball all over the yard and not have a solid running game.'ť

TAKEAWAYS

Notre Dame was stunningly one dimensional on offense, rushing 35 times for 65 yards through four quarters. The Fighting Irish instead leaned on an opportunistic defense as well as Coan's efficiency.

Florida State suffered from three costly turnovers but Milton's timely passes and running sparked a comeback to tie the game. The Seminoles ran for 264 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

In a week full of upsets, Notre Dame was not one of them and the Fighting Irish will likely retain their spot in the top 10.

UP NEXT

Notre Dame: Hosts Toledo on Saturday.

Florida State: Hosts Jacksonville State on Saturday.

Florida State quarterback McKenzie Milton (10) waits for the snap in overtime of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. Notre Dame won 41-38. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) The Associated Press

Notre Dame wide receiver Braden Lenzy (0) tries to stiff arm Florida State defensive back Sidney Williams (23) in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) The Associated Press

Florida State fans, almost none of whom were complying with the mandatory mask mandate, do The Chop during an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. Notre Dame won 41-38 in overtime, (AP Photo/Phil Sears) The Associated Press

Florida State linebacker Amari Gainer (33) walks off the field after an overtime NCAA college football game against Notre Dame Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. Notre Dame won 41-38. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) The Associated Press

Florida State defensive ends Keir Thomas (4) and Jermaine Johnson II (11) walk off the field dejected as Notre Dame celebrates behind them after an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. Notre Dame won 41-38. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) The Associated Press

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly gestures to his team in overtime of an NCAA college football game against Florida State Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) The Associated Press

Florida State defensive back Travis Jay (18) intercepts a pass at the end of the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. Notre Dame won 41-38 in overtime. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) The Associated Press

Notre Dame offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson (55) gets ready to block Florida State defensive tackle Robert Cooper (91) in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) The Associated Press

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) is chased by, from left, defensive lineman Quashon Fuller (30), and linebackers Amari Gainer (33) and Kalen DeLoach (20) on a long run in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) The Associated Press

Notre Dame cornerback Clarence Lewis (6) intercepts a pass in front of Florida State wide receiver Keyshawn Helton (6) in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) The Associated Press

Florida State defensive back Travis Jay (18) breaks up a pass intended for Notre Dame wide receiver Braden Lenzy (0) in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) The Associated Press

Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer (87) runs past the Florida State sideline for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) The Associated Press

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