Seminoles Fake Field Goal for Touchdown Set Tone vs BC

The Florida State Seminoles (4-5) took a 21-17 lead into half-time Saturday against Boston College, courtesy of a fake field goal.

During game week prep, the Seminoles did not have a fake field goal play in their arsenal of plays to attack the Eagles defense.

“I didn't put it in. Herb Hand, our offensive line coach, put it in,” said interim coach Rick Stockstill. “We didn't have it previously before this game. We put it in over the weekend and we thought we had a look. We had a check out of it if they didn't give us the look we wanted.”

The Eagles special teams did indeed give the Seminoles the look they needed and had no clue what was coming.

“My thought process behind it was there wasn't a lot of time left in the first half,” Stockstill said. “We were down three. So, I said, Let's do it. We got the look we wanted. We kept it. Gabe scores his first touchdown at least in college maybe in his life.”

Stockstill thought about his mentor, coach Bobby Bowden, as the play unfolded in real time on the field.

“At halftime coming off, they asked me why'd you do it and you know the first thing goes through my mind and I've got coach Bowden blood in me,” said Stockstill. “And you know, he run a trick play himself. So maybe he's smiling down on me right now.”

Florida State lined up for what appeared to be a game tying field goal from 19-yards out. When the snap came to the holder, he flipped the ball backward over and behind his head.

The ball was caught in the air in stride by kicker Gabe Panikowski, who ran it for a touchdown. Panikowski then converted the extra point to give the Seminoles the lead.  

That play, and the fact the Seminoles were ahead at half-time, lit the fire that would sustain Florida State for the rest of the contest.  

The momentum and the resulting confidence boost propelled the Seminoles to victory. Coming into the game, the Seminoles had lost 12 consecutive road games.

It was an emotional win for Stockstill, who got the customary Gatorade bath by his players and showed his dance moves in a celebratory Florida State locker room.

Freshman Amari Thomas had a breakout game at running back, rushing for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

With the victory Saturday, Florida State still has an opportunity to secure a winning season and a bowl berth for the first time since the 2023 season when they won the ACC championship.

This road victory could not have come at a better time. The Seminoles will practice on a short week of game prep, and then travel to play Pittsburgh (6-3) on Friday, Nov. 13.

Pittsburgh will be well-rested as they had a bye week this week.

The remaining schedule looks like this:

at Pittsburgh, Nov. 13

vs. NC State, Nov. 21

vs. Florida, Nov. 27

Pittsburgh owns a 7-5 record against Florida State. However, the Seminoles have won the last two meetings in Pittsburgh, in 2013 and 2023.

Thomas and quarterback Ashton Daniels will face a tough and stingy Pittsburgh that is among the best in the ACC.

The Panthers’ rushing defense is especially tough. The Panthers allow opponents just 68 yards per game on the ground.