There will not be a greater feel-good story the remainder of the 2021 faculty soccer season.
No. 9 Notre Dame beat Florida State 41-38 in an time beyond regulation thriller on Sunday in a recreation that will not be remembered for the rating. It might be remembered for the return of McKenzie Milton, who practically led the Seminoles to a comeback victory on an evening the place FSU honored the late, legendary coach Bobby Bowden at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Milton noticed his first motion since struggling a grotesque leg damage on Nov. 23, 2018. He required reconstructive knee surgical procedure and a second surgical procedure after an an infection after which transferred from UCF.
MORE: Milton’s restoration timeline
The long-awaited return practically unfolded in movie-like style.
Notre Dame took a 38-20 lead with 4:32 left within the third quarter on an evening that had belonged to Irish quarterback Jack Coan, a Wisconsin switch who completed with 366 passing yards and 4 touchdowns. This recreation appeared like a run-of-the-mill blowout, but it surely was arguably the most effective recreation within the ND-FSU sequence for the reason that No. 1 vs. No. 2 “Recreation of the Century” in 1993.
MORE: Stay updates, highlights from ND’s OT win
That is not hyperbole.
The script practically flipped when Milton entered the sport to a standing ovation with 9:02 left within the fourth quarter. He lobbed an ideal move to Ja’Khi Douglas for a 22-yard achieve on his first move. That sparked a TD drive to chop the margin to 38-35.
Milton saved the following drive alive with a shovel move on third-and-2 to Darion Williamson, and Ryan Fitzgerald compelled time beyond regulation with a 43-yard discipline purpose. Bowden would have beloved that.
This was going to be the Florida State model of “Rudy,” proper?
MORE: RGIII amongst these to react on Twitter to Milton’s return
Not all real-life scripts are good, nevertheless. Milton’s solely throw in time beyond regulation was a desperation heave after a low snap on third down. Fitzgerald then missed a 37-yard discipline purpose try. Notre Dame prevented catastrophe when Jonathan Doerer nailed a 41-yard discipline purpose for the victory. Bowden would have felt that, too.
The Irish gained, even when the second half raised questions concerning the protection and the operating recreation, which averaged simply 1.9 yards per try. There have been questions on Coan coming into the season, and he was the brightest spot for Notre Dame within the opener. One other School Soccer Playoff berth stays doable beneath Brian Kelly.
MORE: Norvell ices personal kicker in OT
That will not be the lasting reminiscence from Sunday night time. Will probably be Milton dodging tacklers, creating performs and practically main Florida State to an upset on a weekend when the ACC’s three top-15 groups misplaced. Will probably be the picture of Milton’s mom, Teresa, crying subsequent to her husband, Mark, whereas their son continued his faculty soccer profession.
“McKenzie’s an incredible competitor,” Seminoles second-year coach Mike Norvell stated. “As he went into this week, he simply continued to [say], ‘Coach, I’ll be prepared. I will be prepared.’ You by no means know when that chance’s going to current itself. (Beginning QB) Jordan (Travis) had a pair issues occur there late and McKenzie got here in and he was prepared. Ready effectively. Such a beautiful competitor.
“It was nice to see him get the chance to go on the market and compete. Anyone that is aware of his story and all that is gone into it, he is anyone that you just cheer for. Particular younger man. To see him stand up in that second, I used to be actually pleased with him.”
Milton accomplished 5 of seven passes for 48 yards and will push for extra taking part in time the remainder of the season. His return is the raise Norvell wanted for this program, and it has to depart the Seminoles in a greater spot for the remainder of the 2021 season.
The very best half is that this is not over for Milton.
Different heartwarming tales will floor in 2021, however not one which feels this good.
