(2) Florida State Survives (5) Notre Dame

Grant Halverson/Getty Images(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) — Notre Dame’s Everett Golson’s potential game-winning touchdown was intercepted in the end zone as Florida State held on for a 31-27 win in a battle of top-five teams. For the second-ranked Seminoles (7-0), it was their 23rd straight win while the fifth-rated Irish are knocked from the ranks of the unbeatens.

Notre Dame (6-1) jumped on the board early, scoring when Golson found Corey Robinson for a touchdown in the first quarter. The Seminoles responded with a touchdown pass from Jameis Winston at the end of the quarter, starting an exciting contest on the right foot.

Both squads traded scores in the second, with the Irish taking a 17-10 lead into halftime. However, Winston came out of the locker room and immediately led Florida State down the field for the tying score when he found Rashad Greene for a 10-yard strike. After Notre Dame regained the lead on another pass from Golson, Karlos Williams answered with a game-tying touchdown run, making it a 24-24 game after three quarters.

Kyle Brindza would put Notre Dame back on top with his second field goal of the night, but the Irish defense could not hold a potent Seminoles offense. It would be Williams once again, scoring from 1-yard out, that gave Florida State their first lead of the night at 31-30 with under eight minutes to play.

After an Irish drive got stymied, the defense helped Notre Dame get one more chance at an upset. That seemed to have happened when Golson found Robinson for a third touchdown catch with less than 20 seconds remaining. However, an offensive pass interference penalty took the points off the board and forced the Irish in a 4th and goal situation. 

With time winding down, Golson scrambled to keep the play alive, but his pass to the end zone was picked off by Jacob Pugh. The Seminoles took a knee on the next play and celebrated their victory.

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