Winston Leads Florida State Over Auburn

Winston Leads Florida State Over Auburn for BCS Championship

Pasadena, CA

Jameis Winston's 2 yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin with 13 seconds remaining lifted Florida State over Auburn 34-31 in the BCS national title game Monday night.

Florida State won its first championship in 14 years despite trailing by 18 points in the contest. Florida State's rally is the largest in BCS National Championship Game history (21-3 with 5:01 left in the second quarter).

Winston was 20 of 35 for 237 yards and two scores, while back Devonta Freeman ran for 73 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

Tre Mason piled up 195 rushing yards for Auburn, including the go-ahead 37 yard scoring dash with 1:19 left.

Levonte Whitfield's 100 yard kick return with 4:31 remaining gave Florida State a 27-24 advantage with 4:31 remaining.

Florida State finished the season with a perfect 14-0 mark, while Auburn was 12-2.

On their first possession, Florida State was able to drove to Auburn's red zone. However, on third and 8 situation at Auburn's 16-yard line, Jameis Winston was sacked by Nosa Eguae, forcing the Seminoles to settle for a 35-yard field goal from Roberto Aguayo to give the Seminoles a 3-0 lead.

Auburn's defense held Florida State to a three-and-out, forcing the Seminoles to punt from the endzone. Auburn's Chris Davis returned the punt 22 yards to Florida State's 25-yard line. Taking advantage of the good field position, Auburn went up 7-3 on a 12-yard touchdown pass to Tre Mason. On the ensuing Florida State drive, the Seminoles stalled at their 26-yard line after

In the second quarter, Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall connected with receiver Melvin Ray for a 50-yard touchdown, giving Auburn a 14-3 lead. The next Florida State drive ended in a three-and-out, giving Auburn the ball back once again. Auburn was able to drive deep into Florida State territory. However, the Tigers came up empty after Cody Parkey missed a 33-yard field goal. Florida State did not hold on to the football long, however, when Winston fumbled at FSU's 27-yard line. Taking advantage of the turnover, Auburn went up 21-3 on a 4-yard touchdown run from Marshall.

On the following Florida State drive, the Seminoles faced a fourth and 4 situation at its own 40-yard line. FSU went for a fake punt, which was successfully converted after Karlos Williams ran seven yards for a first down. Six plays later, facing a third a 7 situation at Auburn's 24-yard line, Winston ran 21 yards for a first down. On the next play, the Seminoles made it a 21-10 game on a 3-yard Devonta Freeman rushing touchdown.

Florida State received the opening kickoff of the second half.

The Seminoles went three-and-out on their first drive of the quarter, forcing the Seminoles to punt. Auburn received the punt at their 37-yard line and were able to drive to Florida State territory. On a third and 8 play at FSU's 36-yard line, the Tigers were called for a holding penalty. On the next play, Nick Marshall's pass fell incomplete, forcing the Tigers to punt. The Seminoles began their second drive of the quarter at their 9-yard line and were able to drive to Auburn's 24-yard line. Florida State was unable to convert a third and 8 situation, however, forcing to the Seminoles to settle for a 41-yard field goal. The field goal was successful, making it a 21-13 game.

The game remained 21-13 in Auburn's favor going into the fourth quarter.

Florida State opened the fourth quarter punting the ball away to Auburn. On the ensuing Auburn drive, P.J. Williams intercepted Nick Marshall at FSU's 40-yard line. Willams fumbled the interception, but the fumble was recovered by teammate Lamarcus Joyner. Taking advantage of the turnover, the Seminoles cut into the Tigers' lead on a 11-yard touchdown pass to Chad Abram. Florida State's Devonta Freeman was called for a taunting penalty, pushing Florida State 15-yards back on the conversion attempt. In turn, Seminoles had to settle for an extra point instead of a two-point conversion, cutting FSU's deficit to 21-20.

Auburn responded on its next drive with a 22-yard field goal from Cody Parkey to give Auburn a 24-20 lead with 4:42 remaining. On the ensuing kickoff, FSU's Levonte Whitfield returned the kickoff 100 yards to give Florida State a 27-24 lead. Auburn retook the lead on a 37-yard rushing touchdown by Tre Mason to give Auburn a 31-27 lead with 1:19 remaining in the game. Levonte Whitfield received the kickoff again, but this time was only able to return the kickoff 17 yards to Florida State's 20-yard line.

Needing to go 80-yards for the win, Winston completed five of his first six passes of the drive, including a 49-yard pass to Rashad Greene, to take the Seminoles to Auburn's 5-yard line. After receiving a delay of game penalty, Florida State faced a third and 8 situation at Auburn's 10-yard line. On the next play, Winston's pass fell incomplete. However, Auburn's Chris Davis was called for a pass interference penalty in the endzone, giving FSU the ball at Auburn's 2-yard line. On the next play, Florida State took a 34-31 lead on a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin with 13 seconds remaining in the game.

Auburn had one more chance to win the game. On the final play of the game, Auburn attempted several laterals in an effort to reach the endzone. However, Tre Mason was tackled at Auburn's 37-yard line with no time remaining, giving Florida State the victory and the National Championship.

Winston Delivers In The Clutch

On the heels of his least-productive half of football this season, Florida State redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston cemented his offensive MVP performance with a brilliant second half, delivering the Seminoles a 34-31 victory and the program's third National Championship (1993, 1999, 2013).

The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner completed 14 of 20 second half pass attempts for 175 yards and two touchdowns, including his game-winning, two-yard strike to Kelvin Benjamin with 13 seconds remaining;

Winston's final stat line read: 20 of 35 for 237 yards and two touchdowns;

He finished his season with 4,077 passing yards and 40 touchdowns and is the first freshman in FBS history to eclipse 4,000 passing yards and toss 40 TD passes;

It is the second-highest single-season passing yardage total in school history, trailing only Chris Weinke (4,167 yds, 2000);

Winston becomes the first player in FBS history to win the Heisman Trophy, lead his team to the National Championship and a 14-0 record, and lead an offense that averaged 50 points per game.

Winston becomes the 14th player to win the Heisman Trophy and fourth in the BCS era. He is the first freshman quarterback to win a BCS National Championship.

"Winston Leads Florida State Over Auburn for BCS Championship"