McKenzie Milton comeback inspires FSU comeback against Notre Dame

McKenzie Milton hadn’t played in a competitive game in over 1,000 days since suffering an injury that nearly cost him his leg and life.

However, that streak ended Sunday night when Milton was thrust into the game after Jordan Travis’s helmet came off in the fourth quarter at the 9:09 mark. A player has to come out of the game for one play before going back into the game, but Milton made sure he stayed on the field when his opportunity came.

The FSU drive began at their 12-yard line, and it was now second and 10 on the FSU 48. Milton’s first pass in an actual game was complete to Ja’Khi Douglas for 22 yards. Milton took a sack on the next play, and it was the first time he had been tackled in over 1,000 days.

Two questions had been answered in back-to-back plays, Milton could still get it done and could take a hit and be OK.

The Noles went on to convert the first down and get to the Notre Dame 20-yard line. It was 3rd and 11, a position the Noles have struggled in recent years, but Milton delivered a strike over the middle to Keyshawn Helton for 15 yards and an FSU first and goal situation.

Milton took a huge hit on the throw and bounced right up, and it felt like the magic was in the air.
FSU scored a touchdown on that possession, and Milton led the next FSU drive to a field goal that tied the game and helped force overtime against the No. 9 team in the nation.

The questions began to swirl. Why wasn’t Milton in the game earlier? Would the outcome had been different if he started the game? I don’t know since Notre Dame may have played things differently on defense.

However, the fact McKenzie Milton got on the field without warming up against that type of defense to do what he did was incredible. The reports out of practice have been mixed, with Milton shining here and there but Jordan Travis being the more consistent quarterback.

Maybe it’s what some people have said all along? McKenzie Milton is a gamer and plays best when the lights are on. Those were the reports when he was at UCF, and it looks like that remains the case after a catastrophic injury that nearly cost him everything.

Now the question is, which quarterback will lead the Noles the rest of the season? I anticipate both quarterbacks will have to play due to the injury history of both guys. I said that before the Notre Dame game, but the offense looked much different with Milton leading the team. Either way, it was great to see Milton’s comeback help inspire FSU’s comeback against Notre Dame.