The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Notre Dame coach explains his ‘execution’ joke after OT victory
Inspired FSU pushes No. 9 Notre Dame, loses on OT field goal.
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly was attempting to make a joke. His, uh, execution could have been better.
“I’m in favor of execution,” Kelly told sideline reporter Katie George with a straight face after his No. 9 Fighting Irish outlasted Florida State 41-38 in overtime Sunday. “Maybe our entire team needs to be executed after tonight.”
Kelly’s comment prompted backlash on social media and a question about the remark during his postgame news conference. “It’s an old John Mckay quote,” Kelly said, referencing the late coach, who led USC to four national titles before taking over the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “I was kidding. It was tongue in cheek. It wasn’t funny?”
Mckay, who died in 2001, was known for his wit. According to legend, at one point during the Bucs’ 26-game losing streak (1976-1977), he was asked to comment on his team’s execution. “I’m in favor of it,” he reportedly replied.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — Notre Dame survived Florida State backup quarterback Mckenzie Milton’s unlikely comeback on an emotional night when the Seminoles honored Bobby Bowden.
Jonathan Doerer made a 41-yard field goal in overtime and No. 9 Notre Dame escaped with a 41-38 victory after Florida State overcame an 18-point deficit Sunday night. Florida State kicker Ryan Fitzgerald’s 37-yard attempt sailed wide left on the first overtime possession, allowing Notre Dame to run a few plays and set up Doerer’s kick.
“What’s most important is going on the road, winning the opener against a team that presented a lot of challenges,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. “We know we got work to do, but I like this team. We’ll get better and we’ll make a lot of improvement in week 2.”
Bowden, the coaching great who won two national titles with the Seminoles, died at 91 of pancreatic cancer Aug. 8. A logo of Bowden’s trademark hat and the script “Bobby” was on the 25-yard line, and Florida State coaches also wore logos on their polo shirts. Florida State’s Marching Chiefs spelled out “Bobby” on the field at halftime and played “Amazing Grace.”
Milton, the UCF grad transfer quarterback who hadn’t played in a game since suffering a gruesome leg injury in November 2018, fired a 22-yard strike to Ja’khi Douglas on his first pass. Treshaun Ward completed that drive by scoring on a 2-yard run, and Fitzgerald tied it with a 43-yard field goal with 40 seconds left. Milton was 5 of 7 for 48 yards with three rushes for 6 yards.
“It was time to roll,” Milton said. “I didn’t have time to process any emotions. A job had to be done. God is real. That’s the one thing I can say. Nobody’s ever come back from an injury like this. Thousands of people praying for me from the moment I got hurt. Coaches believing in me. I’m not here without all the support, all the prayers.”
Florida State started the comeback with Jordan Travis connecting with Andrew Parchment on an 8-yard touchdown strike. Milton entered the game when Travis’ helmet popped off, and he then found Douglas to keep things going.
Jack Coan completed 26 of 35 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns in his Notre Dame debut. Coan threw touchdown passes to Michael Mayer, Kyren Williams, Kevin Austin and Joe Wilkins. Notre Dame led 38-20 with 4:37 to go in the third quarter.
Florida State has lost five straight season openers and, while the Seminoles rallied, they can also point to three turnovers as well as nine penalties.
Travis threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score. But he also threw three interceptions — two to Notre Dame star safety Kyle Hamilton. The Fighting Irish capitalized all three times by scoring touchdowns.
Jashaun Corbin had an 89-yard touchdown run for Florida State. Corbin finished with 15 carries for 144 yards.
Notre Dame was largely ineffective on the ground, rushing for just 65 yards.