WATCH: Jack Coan connects with Kevin Austin Jr. for touchdown
Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan threw his third touchdown pass of the night to wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. at the start of the third quarter. Coan connected with Austin Jr. for a 37-yard touchdown to regain the lead against Florida State and swing the momentum of the game.
On third-and-one the Fighting Irish dropped back to pass with Austin Jr. running down the sideline with a cornerback on his arm. As the safety came to provide help over the top, Coan dropped a pass into the hands of his receiver who did not break stride as he crossed the goal line. It was the fifth target and third completion between the two in their first game together.
Notre Dame took a 24-20 lead on the play, getting the ball back quickly after Kyle Hamilton’s second interception. The Fighting Irish capitalized to go up by 11 midway through the third quarter.
Former Heisman Trophy winner and ESPN analyst Desmond Howard expressed his thoughts on the touchdown pass Sunday night on social media.
“On 3rd-and-1 the Irish goes after the Noles secondary and Jack Coan throws a 37yd TD to Kevin Austin Jr.,” Howard posted. “To call that play (on the road) took some ‘stones’ and shows what little respect they have for their secondary.”
More on Coan and Austin Jr.
Coan came to Notre Dame from Wisconsin this season after four seasons with the Badgers. He finished his Big Ten career with 3,278 yards and 23 touchdowns, throwing just eight interceptions. The fifth-year college player replaces Notre Dame’s all-time start leader Ian Book behind center.
Kevin Austin Jr. appears to have become a favorite target of Jack Coan early. The senior wide receiver played in just five games coming into 2021 and entered Sunday with six career receptions for 108 yards.
Notre Dame is coming off a College Football Playoff appearance and is ranked inside the top 10 to start the season.