Field Level Media
Oct 10, 2020
Ian Book threw two touchdown passes and rushed for one more, Kyren Williams added two rushing touchdowns, and No. 5 Notre Dame held on for a 42-26 win over visiting Florida State on Saturday night in South Bend, Ind.
Chris Tyree also rushed for a touchdown for Notre Dame (3-0, 2-0 ACC), which won its 21st consecutive home game. It is the longest home winning streak for the Fighting Irish since they won 28 straight from 1942-50.
Jordan Travis completed 13 of 24 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown in his first start for Florida State (1-3, 0-3). Travis, a Louisville transfer, became the third quarterback to start for the Seminoles this season.
Book finished with 201 passing yards while completing 16 of 25 throws, but the Fighting Irish ground game made the difference. Notre Dame ended with 42 carries for 353 yards for an average of 8.4 yards per attempt.
Williams led the way with 19 carries for 185 yards, including a 65-yard gain and a 46-yard touchdown that both occurred in the first quarter. Tyree added 11 carries for 103 yards, and Book had nine rushes for 58 yards.
Florida State led 17-14 at the end of the first quarter before Notre Dame regrouped to go ahead 35-20 at the half.
Williams opened the decisive second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown with 12:27 to go. Tyree followed up with a 45-yard rushing touchdown with 5:25 left to cap off an explosive four-play, 81-yard drive that required only 1:50.
After a Florida State field goal, Book connected with wide receiver Braden Lenzy for a 6-yard touchdown that gave Notre Dame a 21-3 advantage for the quarter.
Florida State pulled within 35-26 early in the third quarter when running back La'Damian Webb sprinted in for a 7-yard score. But the Fighting Irish quickly responded on Book's 3-yard rushing touchdown on the next possession.
Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer hauled in an 8-yard pass for his first career touchdown in the first quarter. Mayer, a true freshman, was a top recruit out of Kentucky who was ranked among the top tight ends in the nation.
--Field Level Media