Despite early struggles, FSU’s Heisman trophy winner Jameis Winston pulled it together in the second half to prevent an upset to Oklahoma State.
The Florida State Seminoles began their national championship title defense with a close-fought win over a gritty Oklahoma State Cowboys team. The Seminoles won their Week 1 game 37-31.
Even after several first-half turnovers by FSU – 2 INTs by former Heisman trophy winning QB Jameis Winston – the Seminoles never once gave up the lead in the game, scoring the first 17 points thanks in part to great special teams play that kept the Cowboys and QB J.W. Walsh deep in their own territory for most of the first half.
Despite a furious rally to come back in the 4th quarter down 30-24, Walsh fumbled the ball after being flipped over during a run, giving the Seminoles the ball in their own territory. Several plays later, Jameis Winston delivered a 50-yard TD strike to leading receiver Rashad Greene (11 catches, 203 yards) to put the Seminoles up 37-24. The Cowboys returned with one more TD, but the Seminoles got the ball back on the next drive and never gave it back.
Winston had 370 passing yards on the day and a 62.5% completion percentage. He also had a career-long 28-yard rushing TD in the third quarter.
Walsh finished the game 15 of 27 for 203 passing yards, a TD and an INT along with a team-leading 51 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs.
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