Florida State Runs Over Notre Dame, 23-16 : Nonconference: Dunn and Preston lead ground game that accounts for 332 yards for Seminoles.

No. 8-ranked Florida State had 332 of its 517 totals yards on the ground Saturday and handed Notre Dame its third loss in four games, 23-16.

Warrick Dunn rushed for 165 yards and Rock Preston 163 for the Seminoles.

“It’s been a long time since two guys had that many,” said Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz. “They broke a lot of tackles. They saw the seam.”

Added Holtz: “I thought they’d throw the ball a little more.”

Dunn, with his fifth 100-yard game of the season, needs only 144 yards to reach 1,000. Preston has 469 yards.

Dunn’s five-yard touchdown run with 2:53 to play was the game-winner. It was set up by a 49-yard pass play from Danny Kanell to Kez McCorvey on the first play from scrimmage after Notre Dame missed a chance to take the lead when Scott Cengia’s extra-point attempt hit the left upright.

“From there on, we were fighting an uphill struggle,” Holtz said.

Said McCorvey, who caught six passes for 96 yards: “We practiced that play earlier in the week and knew we could do it. He threw the ball right there.”

Said Kanell, who struggled most of the game, losing two fumbles and being sacked four times for 39 yards in losses: “When you can run the ball, it opens things up like the play action and the drop-back passing.”

Kanell completed 14 of 27 passes for 185 yards.

Buoyed by a brilliant defense, Florida State (8-1) kept alive its slim hopes of repeating as national champion.

The Seminoles finish the season by playing against North Carolina State and Florida.

Notre Dame (5-4) managed only 211 yards, 73 passing, and was unable to do anything on its final two offensive series.

“As long as you have Notre Dame’s offense off the field, you’re doing well,” Florida State defensive end Derrick Alexander said. “We said they’d have to make adjustments to us.”

The Irish tied the score, 16-16, with 5:17 left on an 11-yard pass from freshman quarterback Ron Powlus to Derrick Mayes on fourth and two before Cengia’s missed conversion attempt. Mayes caught Powlus’ pass in the corner of the end zone.