After 1,078 Days, Seminoles Earn First Road Win

Coming into their road game with the Boston College Eagles (4-5), the Florida State Seminoles (4-5) had lost 12 consecutive true road games.

The Eagles jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead. However, the Seminoles summoned their inner-warrior, planted a spear at midfield, and left Chestnut Hill with a 31-24 victory.

It was Florida State’s first true road victory in 1,078 days.

Boston College scored 10 points on their first two possessions. In the first quarter, the Seminoles were held to 23 yards, 0-for-2 on third down, and no points on their first two possessions.

However, at the start of the second quarter, Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels scored his 13th rushing touchdown of the season to put the Seminoles on the scoreboard and cut the Eagles lead to 10-7.

Two holding penalties nullified a 17-yard run by Boston College quarterback Mason McKenzie and a 34-yard reception that pushed the Eagles back to 2nd down and 30.

McKenzie completed a 26-yard pass to tight end Kaelan Chudzinksi to make it 3rd down and four yards to go. The Eagles converted the first down on a nine-yard run by McKenzie.

On the next play, McKenzie hit Nedrick Bolden for 29 yards and a touchdown to increase their lead to 17-7.

Florida State answered with an eight-play, 75-yard drive, capped off by a 20-yard touchdown run Amari Thomas to shrink the lead to 17-14. It was Thomas’s first touchdown of his collegiate career.

After a Boston College punt, Florida State drove the field to get four downs and goal to go. This is a situation where the Seminoles have failed miserably this season.

On fourth down and goal, Florida State set up for a 19-yard field goal attempt.

However, on the snap, the holder flipped the ball backward over his head to kicker Gabe Panikowski who ran it for a touchdown to take a 21-17 lead into half-time.

It was a gutsy call by interim head coach Rick Stockstill.

These are some the first half stats and facts that stood out for Florida State:

Explosive plays: 20-yard TD run by Thomas, 16-yard run by Tre Wisner, 19-yard reception by Michai Danzy

Injury: OL Bradyn Welch-Joiner went down with a leg injury and was carted off the field

Florida State punted on their first possession of the second half.

The Seminoles forced a turnover on the ensuing Boston College possession with an interception by Ja’bril Rawls. It was the second takeaway of the game for Florida State.

Florida State could not capitalize and tuned the ball back over to the Eagle on a deflected pass by Daniels that was intercepted. It was Daniels’ 12th interception of the season, and leads the ACC.

Boston College did capitalize on the turnover and drove downfield and scored on a shuttle pass from McKenzie to Javarius Green to retake the lead at 24-21.

On the Florida State drive, Florida State drove the football down inside the Eagles five-yard line. The Seminoles had to settle for a field goal to tie the game at 24-24.

After forcing a Boston College punt, the Seminoles drove down the field to the 10-yard line.

Thomas rushed for an 11-yard touchdown for his second touchdown of the game to give Florida State the lead again at 31-24 with 2:24 left in the game.

On the ensuing drive by the Eagles, Boston College turned the ball over on downs.

Coach Stockstill got his Gatorade bath as Florida State ran the clock out to end the game and end their 12-game road losing streak.

Stats of the game:

Florida State earns some much-needed momentum and a confidence boost as their attention will now turn to yet another road game at Pittsburgh on Friday, Nov. 13.