First off, the Fighting Irish were called for eight penalties in the second half of the game -- that's more penalties called in one half then were called on Notre Dame in "both halves" of the Rice, Michigan and Stanford games -- COMBINED!
Here's a disturbing trend -- in the three games the Fighting Irish have played against teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference (with ACC officials) Notre Dame has been whistled for 27 penalties. In the four games the Fighting Irish have played against team outside of the Atlantic Coast Conference -- they have been whistled for 13 penalties -- COMBINED.
THE THREE CALLS THAT DIDN'T GO OUR WAY -- THAT CHANGED THE GAME:
- In the third quarter -- it's 3rd down and Winston throws the ball way over the head of the receiver. They're going to have to kick a field goal. Penalty flag -- holding on Cody Riggs. HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE CALL (looks like a receiver and a defensive back engaging each other / just like the last play of the game) -- just watch the replay. Florida State gets new life and a first down on the Notre Dame three yard line -- they score a touchdown a play or two later. 4 POINT SWING.
- In the last drive of the game. Golson throws a pass in the left side of the endzone to Corey Robinson. In the replay, it's obvious that FSU's Darby makes contact with Robinson well before the ball arrives -- and he never turns his head to make a play on the ball. Usually a no-brainer for an official -- but, it's late in the game -- you let the kids play. NO PENALTY. It happened in the endzone -- ball would have been place on the three yard line -- first and goal Irish.
- Then the $6 million penalty flag -- that's the share the ACC would get, or Notre Dame would get depending on which team (FSU or Notre Dame) is in the College Football Playoff. In the replay, you can see that both Florida State defensive backs make contact with the Notre Dame wide receivers FIRST -- and they're both holding on to to Fuller and Prosise respectively. A PENALTY ON NOTRE DAME... 7 POINT SWING -- GAME OUTCOME DECIDED.
