Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, the birthday boy and Heisman Trophy Winner, found wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin for a two-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter to put Florida State ahead of Auburn 34-31 and virtually seal the final BCS national title for the Seminoles.
Nine seconds later, Winston became a redshirt freshman quarterback who won the Heisman in addition to leading his team to an undefeated season and a national championship when Auburn finally ran out of miracles in Pasadena. It was the largest comeback in a BCS title game and the first time a team won a BCS championship game after trailing at halftime.
The Arroyo Seco did not have the magic of the Plains.
In an incredible game reminiscent of the 2006 national title bout at the Rose Bowl between USC and Texas, the final BCS title game ever saw Auburn take a 31-27 lead on a Tre Mason touchdown with 1:19 left in the game.
Auburn scored too quickly, though, as Florida State marched down the field to win the title, end the SEC’s streak of seven consecutive titles and the state of Alabama’s streak of four straight.
Before Mason’s touchdown, Florida State had taken a 27-24 lead in a see-saw fourth quarter on a 100-yard kickoff return by Kermit Whitfield after Auburn took a four-point lead on a field goal after failing to score a touchdown inside the 10-yard line.
Auburn led Florida State 21-10 at halftime.
The BCS era came to an end after arguably the best set of BCS Bowl games in the era. Next year, the four-team College Football Playoff will be introduced.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.