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23 straight wins for the defending national champions. Jameis Winston was 15-16 in the second half.
Florida State did not play its best game Saturday, but it did get the win over the Irish, 31-27, and FSU stretched its win streak to 23 games.
Early on in Tallahassee it looked like a defensive battle, with both teams trading punts twice to open the ballgame and gaining only one first down combined.
On Notre Dame's third drive, however, the Irish mounted a charge thanks to some nice running by Tarean Folston, plus questionable facemask and pass interference penalties, and a bad spot on a third down run by quarterback Everett Golson. Golson connected with Corey Robinson for the touchdown pass. The scoring drive lasted 12 plays, went 84 yards and took up 6:43 of the first half.
Notre Dame's kickoff went out of bounds, however, and Florida State's offense was in business. Passes of 23 and 33 to Rashad Greene started the drive, a false start briefly threatened to halt the effort, but Jameis Winston found Travis Rudolph for 11 yards and the touchdown to even the score at seven.
At the end of the first quarter, Notre Dame had run 24 plays for 99 yards, good for only 4.1 yards/play, an excellent effort, but the difference between FSU's starters and its reserves on defense was noticeable. FSU's offense had gained 68 yards on 10 plays.
Notre Dame mounted a drive on the ensuing kickoff and drove to Florida State's 22 before FSU intercepted Golson on a zone blitz from Tyler Hunter, forcing a wobbly pass to freshman Jacob Pugh. But on the very next play, Jameis Winston threw a horrible interception after holding the ball seemingly forever, and Notre Dame cashed in two plays later, as Everett Golson found Corey Robinson for his second touchdown of the half.
Florida State was forced to punt on its next possession, and Notre Dame again went for a fourth down, but was stopped short by Florida State's defense, giving FSU the ball at the 49.
FSU quickly went to work, with a quick hitter to Rashad Greene for eight, a run by Dalvin Cook for three, an option route to O'leary for seven, a run by Karlos Williams for four, a throw to Jesus Wilson for nine, and a run by Karlos Williams for six. But Florida State stalled and had to settle for the field goal to make the score 14-10.
Florida State pinned Notre Dame deep in its own territory on the kickoff, but the Irish converted a third and three on a crossing route, and Everett Golson made several nice scrambles to set Notre Dame up with manageable third downs. Notre Dame drove to FSU's 17 and a field goal made the score 17-10, Irish.
Notre Dame ran 50 plays in the first half to Florida State's 24. The Irish gained 254 yards, while FSU gained just 111. Notre Dame was 6-12 on third downs, while Florida State was 0-4.
The Irish did a great job of attacking FSU's lack of depth and experience on the defensive line, catching freshmen defensive ends Jacob Pugh and Lorenzo Featherston inside, and quickly getting to the second level on linebackers.
Second half
Florida State came out to start the half and marched 70 yards on 9 plays. Jameis Winston was a perfect 7-7 on the drive, and also had a scramble for five yards. Winston found Greene for the score to knot the game at 17-17.
But the Irish answered immediately with a drive of 83 yards on 7 plays, ending in a bubble screen touchdown to Kendall Fuller to make the lead 24-17. Golson was excellent on the drive, throwing in rhythm and making a great scramble play to diminish the impact of a false start penalty. On the play, however, Golson apparently injured his hamstring and limped off to the locker room.
But Florida State answered right back, going 75 yards in 7 plays in 3:48, with Karlos Williams punching in the touchdown with a two-yard run. At this point, Jameis Winston was 10-10 for 117 yards in the second half.
Golson returned for Notre Dame, however, not missing a series. Florida State forced a three-and-out, but Notre Dame hit an excellent punt to the Florida State 13, where FSU then went backwards after a sack and a late hit. But Cason Beatty answered with a shockingly long punt of his own, 54 yards.
Notre Dame then went on an extended march of 29 yards on 10 plays to take a 27-24 lead.
Florida State then drove 75 yards on 10 plays, as Jameis Winston continued his brilliant performance in the second half, going 15-16 for 181 yards, including some excellent throws under pressure.
But Notre Dame would mount an answer of its own, as Everett Golson hit Corey Robinson for 20 yards on a tremendous throw and catch with a slant, but Florida State held and forced a Notre Dame punt with 5:22, giving the Seminoles the ball at the 7.
On the ensuing drive, Florida State, with the Heisman Trophy Winner under center, did not throw a pass. FSU burned only two minutes off the clock, and punted it to Notre Dame, which was fair caught at the 50.
But Florida State's defense stiffened to force a 4th and 19, but Everett Golson scrambled and found Corey Robinson right at the marker on a deep cross for 20 yards, setting up the Irish at the Florida State 38 with 1:11 left. Notre Dame had life. A sideline throw to Will Fuller was good for a first down, and an Everett Golson scramble to the 9 gave the Irish life.
A bubble screen pass went for no gain on first down, a second down throw was incomplete, a third down pass went to the three, and Notre Dame had a shot on fourth down. The Irish ran a clearout, the same play they had run in the first quarter, but this time, a pick play was called as suck, offensive pass interference.
Everett Golson's pass was intercepted on the resulting fourth down, and the 'Noles remain unbeaten.