Notre Dame Football Throwback Thursday: The loss that derailed the 2014 season

It’s Thursday and it’s time to look back at perhaps the biggest Notre Dame football game of the Brian Kelly era: A loss to Florida State in Tallahassee.

It has been well documented that the Notre Dame football team has had its fair share of heartbreak. On this particular Throwback Thursday, I document one of those losses, mainly because I’m a glutton for punishment. Tomorrow, I’ll hook you up with a Flashback Friday, remembering one of the best moments in recent memory.

Nonetheless, one of the biggest turning points in recent history was Notre Dame’s marquee matchup at Florida State. It was the renewal of a rivalry that college football needed. Both teams were undefeated and had aspirations of winning a national title. Both teams were undefeated and ranked in the top 5.

As far as marquee away games go, this was one that Notre Dame fans should feel pretty good about.

The Irish took an early lead and led the game 17-10 heading into halftime. It wasn’t until the middle of the fourth quarter that Florida State took the lead, going ahead 31-27.

All looked lost for the Irish when they faced a 4th and 18 on the final drive, but Everett Golson improvised long enough for Corey Robinson to get loose near the first down marker to keep the drive alive.

And then there was “the play.”

On 4th and Goal from the 2 yardline, Golson found Robinson in the flat for their third touchdown hookup of the game–or so everyone thought.

In fact, the play was nullified by a controversial offensive pass interference call that left the Irish then facing a 4th and goal from the 18. The play didn’t go as Notre dame planned and the Irish lost the game.

The pass interference call is sometimes still discussed by college football fans. For Notre Dame football fans, the real hurt comes from the fact that the Irish scored their first touchdown on the exact same play and pass interference was not called.

The game led to a dramatic downward spiral for the Irish. After dropping to 6-1, the Irish went 2-4 down the stretch of the season, which played a part in the eventual exit of Golson at the season’s end. It’s hard to imagine what might have happened following the emotional letdown after losing that game.