Florida State rallies past Auburn to win BCS title in back-and-forth classic

PASADENA, Calif. – Trailing by four on a night where he struggled early and often, Jameis Winston, Florida State’s Heisman winning quarterback, delivered when it mattered most. Winston led the Seminoles on an 80-yard, game-winning touchdown drive with just 1:18 remaining in the game to give FSU a 34-31 victory over Auburn and the BCS national championship.

It capped a title game that finished in a back-and-forth flurry that saw three different touchdowns – including a 100-yard kickoff return for FSU's Kermit Whitfield– in the final six minutes of play.
Winston produced the game-winner with a clutch 2-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin with just 13 seconds remaining after going 6-of-7 for 77 yards on the final drive.

"This is the best football game he's played, because he struggled for three quarters and that's a great team we played on the other side and great players understand great moments," Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said on the podium after the game. "That's what great players do."

The Seminoles (14-0) completed a dream season by winning the final BCS title and ending the SEC’s run of seven consecutive titles. The beleaguered system will be replaced next year by a playoff.
Winston finished 20 for 35 for 237 yards and two touchdowns, numbers that belie a fitful performance most of the night. He was sacked four times and stripped of the ball once. Auburn led 21-3 in the first half and appeared poised to break the game open.

However, FSU’s defense was brilliant, bucking up and controlling Auburn’s vaunted running attack for long stretches of the game. FSU also had a decided special teams advantage, converting a fake punt in the first half and getting a game changing touchdown by freshman speedster Whitfield on a 100-yard kickoff return that gave FSU a fourth-quarter lead.

Auburn responded though with a strong drive capped by a bulldozing 37-yard touchdown run by Tre Mason that gave them a 31-27 lead.
That’s when Winston, and wide receiver Rashad Greene, put together a drive they will toast for the ages in Tallahassee.
"I said this from Day 1 in spring ball: This is special." Fisher said. "They wanted to be an elite team."
The victory was a show of FSU resilience. The Seminoles arrived as a decided favorite but were knocked back early by the Tigers. Mason, Auburn's star running back, ran 195 yards in the loss.

FSU quarterback Jameis Winston hugs coach Jimbo Fisher after the Seminoles' BCS title win. (USA Today)