It was high drama in Tallahassee on Saturday night as second-ranked Florida State rallied from three 7-point deficits to defeat #5 Notre Dame 31-27. The Fighting Irish looked to have taken the lead with 13 seconds left, but an offensive pass interference call negated a touchdown and the Seminoles held on for their 23rd straight victory.
After blowing through opponents a season ago, Florida State now has three victories by six points or less on the year. To illustrate which Seminoles stood out on Saturday night, Noled Out editor Mike Ferguson and staff writer Jon Marchant hand out game balls:
Offense
Mike Ferguson’s Game Ball: Rashad Greene, WR
Rashad Greene once again relished the big stage for Florida State on Saturday night, finishing with eight catches for a game-high 108 yards and a touchdown. His 10-yard touchdown reception on the opening drive of the second half evened the game at 17 and was the 30th total touchdown of his career. Greene is one score shy of tying Peter Warrick’s career Florida State record for touchdowns. He also sits just 343 yards shy of equaling Ron Sellers’ career receiving record at Florida State.
Jon Marchant’s Game Ball: Jameis Winston, QB
After a tough week off the field and a sluggish first half, Florida State sophomore quarterback Jameis Winston was nearly flawless over the final 30 minutes going 15-for-16 passing in the second half. Winston finished the evening with 273 yards through the air and a pair of touchdown passes. The FSU signal-caller improved to 20-0 in his career as a starter.
Defense
Mike Ferguson’s Game Ball: Terrance Smith, LB
On a night in which Jacob Pugh had two interceptions, it was still junior Terrance Smith who stole the show for the Seminoles’ defense. Smith recorded a game-high 11 tackles, two for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Smith also had a pass breakup late that nearly resulted in an interception.
Jon Marchant’s Game Ball: Eddie Goldman, DT
Eddie Goldman was a mainstay in the Notre Dame backfield on Saturday night. Though Goldman only finished with four total stops, he consistently wrecked havoc and was one of three Florida State players to record a sack.
Special Teams
Mike Ferguson’s Game Ball: Reggie Northrup, LB
Linebacker Reggie Northrup was Florida State’s top special teams tackler on Saturday night which included a massive hit on Notre Dame’s Cam McDaniel early in the second half. Northrup recorded two of his five stops in the return game.
Jon Marchant’s Game Ball: Roberto Aguayo, K
Florida State sophomore kicker Roberto Aguayo improved to 14-for-14 on the season on field goal attempts with a 34-yard make late in the second quarter. Aguayo made all four PATs and had two of his six kickoffs go for touchbacks.
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