ORLANDO — Florida State scored 18 unanswered points, erased a 14-0 third quarter lead and defeated Notre Dame 18-14 in the Champs Sports Bowl Thursday night.

Fighting Irish quarterbacks Tommy Rees and Andrew Hendrix threw three interceptions as the Seminoles’ defense held Notre Dame to just 280 yards of total offense and no points in the second half.

Florida State’s EJ Manuel threw for 249 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the comeback for the Seminoles. Manuel, who was harassed much of the first half by the Notre Dame defense, but was virtually untouched in the final two quarters, hit Rashad Greene and Bert Reed for touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

The Irish (8-5) led 7-0 after one quarter when Zeke Motta picked up a Devonta Freeman fumble and returned it 29 yards for a score. Manti Te’o forced the fumble two plays after Rees threw the first of his two interceptions in the end zone.

The Notre Dame lead grew to 14-0 in the second quarter when Rees connected with Michael Floyd for a 5-yard touchdown.

Florida State (9-4) regrouped at halftime and cut the Irish lead to 14-3 on a 42-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins.

Manuel then made it a 14-9 game when he connected with Reed from 18 yards out. The Seminoles failed on the 2-point conversion.

Florida State took the lead for good when Manuel hit Greene with a 15-yard touchdown pass.

Again the 2-point conversion failed.

The Seminoles completed the scoring with a 29-yard field goal by Hopkins.