Notre Dame Football: Nick Coleman was Unsung Hero vs. Florida State
By Chase Eyrich
No luck of the Irish was needed for Notre Dame football in a 42-13 rout of Florida State on senior day.
If last week’s trip to Northwestern wasn’t your preseason choice for the dreaded trap game for Notre Dame football in 2018, there’s a good chance the Florida State game was it.
Coming into the game, the Seminoles had struggled all season. That said, with their talented roster and Notre Dame’s recent history in November, it would have been no surprise if an upset were to have occurred.
Instead, the Irish took care of business from the start and dominated the game.
With Brandon Wimbush making his return under center with Ian Book injured, it was up in the air as to how Wimbush would play with what was now a more improved team.
Despite some early second-half struggles, Wimbush did what he needed to do in order to lead the Irish to victory.
A big reason for his success was the way he was able to get comfortable in the game right away. His confidence and overall impact were felt early, thanks to the situation he found himself in when he stepped onto the field.
On the second play of the game, Deondre Francois stepped back, looked left, and let it go. He never saw senior Nick Coleman waiting to make the most impactful play of the day.
Coleman intercepted Francois off of a deflection and returned it 27-yards to the Florida State three-yard line.
From there, Dexter Williams could have run it in, but he didn’t. Instead, a three-yard pass from Wimbush to Miles Boykin put Notre Dame on the board.
Not even 90 seconds into the game and Notre Dame was up seven. With the lead, Wimbush had very little pressure on him and settled into the game — all thanks to Coleman.
Wimbush completed five passes — including one for a touchdown — on Notre Dame’s next drive.
Notre Dame Football: Wimbush and Williams Lead Dominant Senior Day Performance. dark. Next
Coleman finished the game with that one interception, one tackle and one pass break up, but the timing of what he did created the atmosphere Notre Dame needed to improve to 10-0.
There’s no doubt that he was this week’s Unsung Hero of the Game.