(2 of 2)
It had been more than a year since the road-running front runners had had to play catch-up, and they were playing on unfamiliar turf -- both their predicament and against a ground game as rapacious as Notre Dame's. Teams are usually so far behind the Seminoles in the early going that they're forced to pass for quick yardage. The Seminoles were dispirited, logy; they trudged through most of the second half, allowing the Irish to build a 31-17 lead. Not until late in the fourth quarter did F.S.U. flash its famous spark. Ward connected for one quick touchdown and ended the game with a goal-line pass that Notre Dame knocked down. The Irish had won the Big One, 31-24 to succeed Florida State as college's top team.
Holtz, judiciously praising both teams, pronounced that "this is one game that I think lived up to all the hype." And all the anguish. After a tough year in which he had lost many starting stars and been excoriated in a tell- all book about Notre Dame, the conquering coach was vindicated. Not so Bowden. "I wish we could win the rest of our games and play 'em again," said the vanquished F.S.U. coach of Notre Dame. The Dangerfield mask was on him again.