Say what you want about Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, but the guy definitely knows how to lead a comeback.
FSU rallied from an 18-point deficit against Auburn last year in the BCS Championship game. They overcame a 24-7 deficit against North Carolina State in September en route to a 56-41 win, and now they've done it again. A 21-0 hole at halftime wasn't enough to keep the Seminoles buried.
Winston threw three second half touchdowns to offset the three interceptions he threw as FSU (8-0, 5-0 ACC) clawed its way back for a 42-31 win.
"That was another heck of a football game. Fun to watch, wasn't it?" Seminoles' coach Jimbo Fisher said.
Florida State has now won 24 straight games. Winston is unbeaten in his college career and has the Seminoles poised for a run in the college football playoffs.
Dalvin Cook busted two long scoring runs to aid Winston in leading the charge from behind. Cook notched scoring runs of 40 yards and 38 yards, and finished with nine carries for 110 yards and four receptions for 40 yards. His 40-yard touchdown run with 3:36 remaining gave FSU the lead for good.
Winston finished 25-of-8 for 401 yards along with his trios of touchdowns and picks. FSU racked up 374 yards of offense in the second half and finished with 574 to Louisville's 488.
"We've been there before," Winston said after the game. "Being down is nothing when you've got heart and you persevere. Personally, we play better when we're down, honestly."
Louisville (6-3, 4-3 ACC) got off to a hot start, jumping out to a 21-point first-half lead. But FSU began gaining ground at the end of the second quarter when Winston led the offense on a 78-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown.
"I had to do something," Winston said. "I've got to make some type of play. When I'm throwing picks I've got to try and get me some turnovers myself."
"It's a tough loss that hurts a lot," said Louisville coach Bobby Petrino. "We got ahead of them and had opportunities. You've got to give Florida State credit when they were able to make plays when the pressure was on."
While Louisville's offense was humming - receiver DeVante Parker topped 200 yards while running back Michael Dyer racked up 134 on the ground - the points were still not enough. The Cardinals gave credit where credit was due.
"It's very disappointing," cornerback Charles Gaines said. "Jameis Winston is an outstanding quarterback. He made a lot of checks and had us guessing."
