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Late field goal lifts Florida State past Boston College

 
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, left, congratulates Nick O'Leary on a touchdown in an NCAA college football game against Boston College in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014.  (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser) FLMW103
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, left, congratulates Nick O'Leary on a touchdown in an NCAA college football game against Boston College in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser) FLMW103
Published Nov. 23, 2014

TALLAHASSEE — Quarterback Jameis Winston trotted onto the water-logged field at Doak Campbell Stadium with Florida State's aspirations of a second consecutive national championship on the line. The top-ranked Seminoles were in a dogfight once again and needed their Heisman Trophy winner to make a play.

He made several.

Winston led Florida State 66 yards to put Roberto Aguayo in position for a 26-yard field goal with three seconds remaining and the Seminoles remained perfect with a 20-17 victory over Boston College on Saturday.

But FSU players did not embrace or cheer when the Eagles' final pass fell to the earth and the clock struck zero. There were very few smiles, and some sullenly walked toward the locker room.

"Of course this wasn't our best game," defensive tackle Derrick Mitchell said of the gloomy mood. "You have to admit that you're wrong and accept criticism from the coaches and learn from your mistakes. But you have to appreciate every victory."

The Seminoles, who have won a school-record 27 consecutive games, had already locked up a berth in the ACC Championship Game against Georgia Tech, but they have bigger goals remaining. Florida State hosts Florida on Saturday in its regular-season finale with a second consecutive undefeated season on the line. It has sat at No. 3 in the college football playoff rankings despite being the last undefeated team in a Power 5 conference.

Florida State (11-0, 8-0 ACC) has been plagued by slow starts throughout the season, and it went into the fourth quarter tied at 17 with the Eagles (6-5, 3-4). But with less than five minutes left, Winston helped engineer another winning drive.

"The majority of the games we've played this year have been like this game," Winston said. "So this isn't anything new. We have confidence. So I told them, 'Get ready to score.' "

Florida State took over on its 26-yard line after Boston College missed a 43-yard field-goal try with 4:37 left. It drove to the Eagles' 8. Rashad Greene, who had two big drops in the first half, caught back-to-back passes for 11 and 15 yards to move the Seminoles within field-goal range. The drive took 4:34 off the clock.

Greene set a school record for career receptions (254) and yards (3,613). He also set the school record with a reception in his 40th consecutive game.

Winston finished with 281 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception. He has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 24 consecutive games.

His interaction with an official while running a hurry-up offense late in the third quarter grabbed attention. Winston was rushing to the line of scrimmage to snap the ball on second down with 5:20 remaining on the clock. The official stood behind center Cam Erving, who was in his stance, as Winston approached.

The official tried to stop Winston by giving him a stop sign with his hand, but Winston muscled in and gave a little push. The officiating crew told coach Jimbo Fisher and Winston they had to allow Boston College to substitute players because Florida State had.

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Winston said, "I was trying to get up under there and let it ride."

The Eagles stuck with their run-first philosophy throughout and finished with 240 yards on the ground. Quarterback Tyler Murphy bounced a read-option around the left end for a 21-yard score midway through the third quarter to tie the score at 17. Alex Howell missed a 43-yard field-goal try with 4:37 left that would have given the Eagles the lead.

"I'm truly disappointed," Boston College coach Steve Addazio said. "I feel like we really had a good opportunity in this game. It's not a lack of effort. We just needed to make some more plays to win this game."