The drama surrounding Jameis Winston and Florida State off the field was only rivaled by the nail biting finish to last night's game against Notre Dame.
"He has a drive to win," coach Jimbo Fisher said after FSU held on to a 31-27 victory over the Fighting Irish. "He has a drive for greatness," as reported by ESPN.
No. 2-ranked FSU, which trailed 17-10 at halftime, roared back to win its 23rd consecutive game. No. 5-ranked Notre Dame didn't even know what him them.
Karlos Williams 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter finished off a 10-play, 75 yard drive to give FSU the lead for good. The Seminoles' offensive line struggled with protection for much of the night, but that didn't stop Winston from making plays. The reigning Heisman Trophy led FSU to touchdowns on their first four drives.
Williams said Winston's play was "poetry in motion."
"One thing that people need to realize about this Seminoles team is when we have our backs against the wall, we always rise and we start playing harder," said Winston, as quoted by ESPN. "This was a big game. We're playing Notre Dame. We're not playing a high school team."
For a moment there, it looked as if Notre Dame had pulled off the upset. Heisman hopeful quarterback Everett Golson threw a touchdown pass to Corey Robinson with 13 seconds remaining but the score was erased by a pass interference call.
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly did not agree with the penalty.
"We execute that play every day," Kelly said, according to ESPN "And we do it legally and that's the way we coach it. We don't coach illegal plays."
Winston finished the game 23 of 31 for 273 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
But this win comes as controversy once again swirls around Winston. The quarterback is facing a student conduct hearing while the school also investigates if Winston exchanged autographs for money. Regardless of the findings, Winston and FSU are in prime position right now to make a run in the college football playoffs this year.
