Florida State's Defense Proves It Still Has Championship Clutch Factor

Florida State's defense is a far cry from the 2013 group. The Seminoles have bent, not dominated. They have given up an average of 23 points per game, and a few times put the team on the brink of a loss.

But, just when the doubts arise again, the defense turns in its best football. With the Seminoles on the ropes in the final seconds on Saturday night, the defense came through with a goal-line stand, proving they still have the championship clutch factor that won them the 2013 national championship. 

It wasn't the dominating performance of old, but the bottom line is the Seminoles defense refused to lose.  The Irish made it very interesting, as they ran 13 plays on FSU's side of the 50 in the closing minutes of the game. But the Seminoles kept making stops, getting new life after a penalty nullified a touchdown, and sealed the win with an interception in the end zone with six seconds to go.

"That fourth-down stop was big-time," FSU linebacker Terrance Smith said. "As long as you find ways to win, that's what this game is all about."

Technically, Notre Dame found the end zone with 13 seconds to go. Quarterback Everett Golson connected with Corey Robinson, who was wide open and walked into the end zone. But the referees called another Notre Dame receiver, C.J. Prosise, for offensive pass interference.

P.J. Williams was supposed to cover Robinson on the play.

"It was a long 20 seconds man," Williams said.  "I saw him catch the ball, my head went down a little bit. After I saw the flag, I knew we were good and everything was going to be alright."

Pretty it is not. But FSU's defense simply has a clutch gene in 2014.  

In the opener against Oklahoma State, Williams forced quarterback J.W. Walsh to fumble in the fourth quarter. Two weeks later, FSU stopped Clemson in the fourth quarter, halting a drive deep into Seminoles territory, and also stuffed the Tigers on four downs in overtime. Then there was the win over North Carolina State despite allowing a school-record 24 points in the first quarter (FSU held the Wolfpack to 17 points in the final three quarters). And against Syracuse last week, FSU held the Orange to just six points on four red-zone trips in the first half.

"It's just a testament to who we are on defense," defensive tackle Derrick Mitchell said. "We wouldn't want it any other way."

FSU simply shut offenses down in 2013. The Seminoles had future NFL players like Timmy Jernigan, Telvin Smith, Christian Jones, Lamarcus Joyner and Terrence Brooks. This year's defense has had to fight—not just to win games but to keep key players healthy. Tackle Eddie Goldman battled an ankle injury earlier this year. End Mario Edwards Jr. missed a game with a concussion. Williams and corner Ronald Darby have been slowed by hamstring injuries.

Mark Wallheiser/Associated Press

However, through it all they have been able to do enough to keep the Noles' unbeaten streak alive. Great defenses don't have to dominate all the time, but they always get stops when they need them.  The 2014 Noles have proved time and again that they can do just that. 

"We got people accustomed to us blowing people out last year," Smith said. "When we win in the ways we do this year, people are never really satisfied. Wins don't come easy but we find a way to keep getting them."

With the win, FSU may have made enough of an argument to retake the No. 1 spot in the polls. FSU's resume looks very good with a win over a Top Five team (Notre Dame) as well as a pair of Top 25 teams (Oklahoma State and Clemson).

"Hopefully we can get that No. 1 spot back," Mitchell said. "I feel like they took it from us and we had to go out there and win that game."

Bob Ferrante is the Florida State Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bob on Twitter. All stats courtesy of seminoles.com.