Friday Flashback: Florida State vs Notre Dame ’93 Video Recap

Florida State vs Notre Dame ’93 Video Recap

Florida State’s 1993 heavy-weight boxing match against Notre Dame will forever be solidified in history as an all-time classic. The game had been talked about, analyzed, and reanalyzed all season long. It opened with one of the more majestic introductions of all time seen below.

1st quarter

Florida State couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. Despite starting at the 11 yard line on their first possession, the ‘Noles offense drove 89 yards down the field with ease for a Seminole touchdown. Ward connected with Kevin Knox on a 12 yard touchdown pass. Ward went 5/5 for 43 with two scrambles for 34 yards on this drive. The touchdown was capped off with a made PAT as holder Danny Kanell set the ball for the kick.

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The offensive line of the Irish responded by opening up holes for halfback Lee Becton and company to march down the field through. The Irish would impose their will on the ground and respond to Florida State’s seven points with a touchdown of their own. Jarrell scampered to the right for 32 yards down the sideline to draw within one pending the PAT. And, it was good.

The Seminoles and Fighting Irish were knotted up 7-7.

2^nd quarter

The second quarter didn’t bode well for the ‘Noles. The Irish were doing everything right while the Seminoles struggled. A “lowlight” reel of missed tackles by FSU allowed Notre Dame’s dominant run game to take over. The Irish would go on to strike next and take the lead on a 26 yard scoring dash by Lee Becton.

The quarter didn’t get any better for Florida State as Ward threw his second pick of the year giving the Irish a short field to work with. It only took Notre Dame four plays to cash in and make it 21-7.

(Key highlights displayed below)

3rd quarter

After stalling on offense early in the third quarter Notre Dame kicker Kevin Pendergast took the field to put the Irish ahead 24-7 on a 47 yard field goal.

Down by three touchdowns Charlie Ward never hesitated. Ward carried the Seminole offense down the field and capped it off by connecting Warrick Dunn for a six yard touchdown pass.

24-14 FSU down by ten.

4th quarter

With just under 11 minutes to go in the football game FSU kicker Scott Bentley narrowed the Irish lead to just seven with a 24 yard field goal that was true.

Ward looked sharp going 7 of 8 on the drive.

24-17 ‘Noles down a touchdown.

Halting all momentum that the Seminoles had seemingly gathered the Irish chewed off almost four minutes on the clock as they used nine plays to go 80 yards for a Fighting Irish touchdown. Cornerback Jeff Burris ran through the tackles and into the end zone for what would ultimately be the game deciding touchdown. This was Burris’s second touchdown on the day.

The NBC televised broadcast made it evidently clear how impactful of a blow this was as a sideline of despondent Seminoles blankly watched the ensuing Notre Dame celebration.

31-17 Notre Dame, 4:05 remaining in the contest

The fireworks weren’t over yet.

Never believing that the Seminoles were out of the game Charlie Ward put the team on his back as the ‘Noles stormed down the field. Reaching the Notre Dame five yard line FSU had captured much of the momentum. This would come to an abrupt stop after consecutive penalties by the Seminoles. The end result of which would be fourth and goal at the 20 yard line.

Kez McCorvey’s route found him in the back of the end zone covered by safety Brian Magee. Thrusting the ball in his direction Charlie Ward hit McCorvey in the back of the end zone following a tip by Magee.

31-24 FSU down a touchdown

With just over two minutes left in the contest the Seminoles were forced to attempt the onside kick.

It failed.

After three plays of being stoned by the FSU defense the Irish were forced to punt the football.

Thanks to strong wind that caught the punt in the air the Irish would punt for just five yards.

FSU would gain possession at the ‘Noles 37 yard line with just under a minute left in the football game.

McCorvey who had snagged the most recent touchdown was targeted first. Following a series of plays that included connections to both McCorvey and Dunn the Seminoles found themselves at the Fighting Irish 14 yard line with a mere ten seconds left in the football game.

Expecting the spike by Ward the Notre Dame defensive line managed to force a deflection as Ward looked left and attempted a bullet for the end zone.

0:03 is what the clock read following the incompletion.

The drive would end as Ward’s pass was knocked down at the goal line.

Final: 31-24, Notre Dame

(The game can be seen in it’s entirety below)

Aftermath

This loss diminished the 16 game winning streak held by Florida State. The defeat also saw the Seminoles fall from the number one spot after holding it for 12 straight weeks. But the Seminoles would ultimately have the last laugh.

Florida State didn’t look back and won the rest of their games that regular season including a 33-21 victory in the Swamp where the ‘Noles defense tallied up six sacks.

During this final week of the regular season Notre Dame was shocked by Boston College incurring their first loss of the season. This allowed the Seminoles to slip into the national title game where they would go on to beat Nebraska 18-16 in the Orange Bowl. The Seminoles were the national champions sitting just in front of second place Notre Dame.