SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The idea that the 62-year-old rocker and Notre Dame football superfan would spend much of the evening Jon Bon Jovi increased the excitement beyond the wave crash most fervently and consistently. Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium was quite a statement.

Considering he was a bystander and not a participant.

Ultimately, it was the Irish defense that spoke the loudest and had the final say in the twelfth-ever football meeting between ND and Florida State, and perhaps the one with the least pregame buzz.

Tenth-ranked Notre Dame finally took care of business, ruthlessly, winning its seventh straight since the September 7 nightmare against Northern Illinois 52-3 over an FSU team stuck in an eternal nightmare (1- 9).

The Irish offense has been suitably complementary and occasionally impressive as Notre Dame heads into next week’s home finale against Virginia with an 8-1 record and a clear path to the 12-team College Football Playoff – or at least one that she checks.

However, the mandate must be improved incrementally if the Irish are to survive beyond the opening round.

In the meantime, some compliments after the farewell week. Inside ND Sports hands out two match balls every week. This is who ended up with them:

Defense: Rylie Mills, defensive tackle

With nose protector Howard Cross III Cross’ linemate Mills, who left early with an apparent ankle injury, brought plenty of power for both of them – and then some. Mills had three of Notre Dame’s eight sacks on the night and five total tackles to set the tone for the Irish defense that took over the game.

FSU’s paltry 88 passing yards and 38 completion percentages were at least partially affected by the constant pressure the Seminoles QBs received from Mills and company.

Offense: Jaden Greathouse, wide receiver

On a night when Notre Dame’s passing game felt like it was treading water when it came to big-picture progress, the second slot receiver showed up in big moments, collecting a game-high five catches for 66 yards.

Quarterback Riley Leonard ended up throwing for 215 yards and a TD and backup Steve Angeli threw for another 37 and a TD.