Florida State hadn’t won on the road in the ACC in three years.
Perhaps it was only fitting that the Seminoles took their time, draining the clock with a 90-yard drive that took eight minutes and 16 seconds in the fourth quarter — capped by Amari Thomas’ 11-yard TD run to take a 31-24 win at Boston College.
Thomas, a freshman who is FSU’s fourth running back, ran 17 times for 86 yards and two touchdowns. His first was a 20-yard TD in the second quarter and the second was an 11-yard TD run with 2:29 to go.
Led by a trio of coaches that had taken on interim roles just days earlier — Rick Stockstill as head coach, Tim Harris Jr. as offensive coordinator and Ernie Sims Jr. as defensive coordinator — the Seminoles won for the first time on the road in league play since November 2023 at Pittsburgh.
The Seminoles also halted a three-game losing streak, building positive energy and perhaps some momentum as November begins.
FSU (4-5, 2-4 ACC) started with a pair of three-and-outs but then scored on five of its final seven drives in what was a wild game. Stockstill and BC coach Bill O’Brien each used a bit of trickery, too.
On fourth-and-goal late in the second quarter, FSU lined up to take a field-goal attempt at the 1-yard line. But FSU holder Carter Jula pitched the ball over his head as kicker Gabe Panikowski sprinted to the corner of the end zone.
Was it a nod to Bobby Bowden? Perhaps. But it was a momentum-shifting play, no doubt.
O’Brien countered with a trick play later, lining up some offensive linemen wide to the left before McKenzie pitched the ball to Javarius Green.
After Thomas’ second touchdown, BC began to build a drive deep into FSU’s end. Mason McKenzie’s fourth-and-15 pass over the middle was broken up by Nehemiah Chandler with 1:34 left, and FSU was able to take a knee in the victory formation.
A play call that was three years in the making. And the Seminoles did it without the likes of Duce Robinson, Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton on offense as well as Quindarrius Jones, Deante McCray and Kevin Wynn on defense.
Ashton Daniels completed 15 of 26 passes for 178 yards and an interception. He ran 10 times for 38 yards and a touchdown, and Daniels also had a massive third-and-4 conversion with about six minutes left on the game-winning touchdown drive.
Micahi Danzy was targeted 10 times, grabbing seven receptions for 86 yards. Jasen Lopez also had four catches for 54 yards, and his 40-yard punt return set up FSU’s first touchdown.
Tre Wisner had 12 rushes for 58 yards.
FSU and BC each went 8 for 14 on third downs in a game where there were just nine drives for both teams.
BC dropped to 4-5.
Coming up
FSU has a short turnaround to play at Pittsburgh on Friday at 7 p.m.
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