Notre Dame Football: Top home games of the last 50 years

Notre Dame Football: Top home games of the last 50 years

1993: Notre Dame 31 Florida State 24

Notre Dame is no stranger to playing in a ‘Game of the Century,’ and that was certainly the booking for Florida State’s trip to South Bend. Bobby Bowden was looking for his first National Championship at Florida State, and was determined to get there with his Heisman winner to be in quarterback Charlie Ward.

The Seminoles came in ranked No. 1 in the country and Notre Dame was No. 2. The Irish were looking to win their second National Championship during the Lou Holtz era, but weren’t expected to be able to compete with Florida State’s offensive firepower.

There was so much excitement for the game that ESPN’s College Gameday attributes this game as the start of taking their show on the road for live taping that take in the campus atmosphere. Even better than the hype surrounding the game was the fact that what happened on the field actually met expectations.

Notre Dame surprised Florida State by dominating the Seminoles offensive attack. Ward wasn’t able to do anything outside of the opening drive, and the Irish led 21-7 at halftime. Running back Lee Becton was the dominant force on a Notre Dame offense that was old school thirty years ago.

Luckily, he had a great day, rushing for over 100 yards.

Still, it’s hard to keep a good man, or in this case offense, down, as Florida State made a furious comeback in the second half. A tipped pass on 4th and 20 went for a Seminoles touchdown with a minute and a half remaining. Florida State forced a three and out, giving Ward time to march downfield looking for the tying score.

He wouldn’t find it, as Shawn Wooden deflected his final pass into the end zone.

The Irish won, and were in position to win a National Championship  until they were stunned a week later by Boston College. That opened the door for, ironically, Florida State to win the 1993 National Championship.