Written by Danny Morales
TALLAHASSEE — Roberto Aguayo hit the first game-winning field goal for Florida State since 2012, as the Seminoles defeated the Boston College Eagles 20-17 on Senior Night on Saturdayat Doak Campbell Stadium.
Aguayo’s game-winner came from 26-yards out and put FSU up by three points with 0:03 left in the game. It was Aguayo’s first-ever game-winning kick of his football career.
“It;s not about being a hero. I’m pretty sure Roberto (Aguayo) would say that too,” said Jameis Winston about his Lou Groza award winning kicker. “It’s about getting that win, and we’ve got the best kicker in the country. So that’s expected out of ‘Berto.
Florida State came out determined not to have another slow start, as the Seminoles capped a 75-yard drive with a touchdown run by Karlos Williams on the opening drive of the game, taking up 6:24 before allowing Boston College to have possession.
Boston College responded with a long drive of their own, but could only come up with a field goal after a 50-yard, 8:16 drive. Between the two teams they took 14:46off the clock before anyone got their second possession of the game.
Time of possession would be a theme throughout the game as the Eagles offense was on the field for 33:47. Because of Boston College’s large time of possession, the Seminoles only had eight possessions during the entire game.
“With games like that you don’t get many possessions and they’re always going to be close games,” said FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher of Boston College’s offense. “I’m very proud of our team the way we competed in the game.”
FSU added to their lead early in the second quarter when Aguayo hit a 37-yard field goal, extending the Seminoles lead to 10-3. But then Eagles quarterback Tyler Murphy tied the game at 10-10 for Boston College when he hit Shakim Phillips for a 49-yard touchdown with 5:29 remaining in the opening half.
Nick O’Leary got into the action on the following drive, catching a 30-yard touchdown pass from Winston, putting Florida State back in front 17-10 late in the first half.
Senior wide receiver Rashad Green also had a productive game as his eight catch, 106 yard day put him atop the FSU receiving yards list with 3613, breaking Ron Sellers record from 1968.
“That record is 40-something years old, the all-time receiving yardage record that Rashad broke” said Fisher. “He has the catches now, he has the yardage. The only thing left is the touchdowns. That guy is a heck of a player.”
The Seminoles went into halftime leading 17-10, while also outgaining the Eagles 229-159.
The Eagles tied the game at 17-17 late in the third quarter, when Murphy went 21 yards on a keeper for a touchdown. That would turn out to be the only score of the third quarter, as Aguayo missed a 40-yard field goal late in the stanza.
Murphy kept the FSU defense off balance with a lot of read-option plays, as he was on his way to a 48-yard rushing game, 74 if you don’t count sacks, but he only threw for 73 yards and one touchdown passing.
Boston College had a chance to take a three-point lead with 4:37 remaining in regulation, but kicker Alex Howell missed a 42-yard field goal, giving FSU the ball at their own 25-yard line.
The Seminoles then drove 66 yards down the field, taking up 4:34 of clock to set up Aguayo with the game-winner.
“Once you get inside the 45 we know that Roberto is there,” said Winston after the game. “He’s tremendous.”
With the win Florida State now improves to 11-0 on the season and finish ACC play a perfect 8-0. The Seminoles will now prepare for a season finale against in-state rival Florida Gators on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Doak Campbell Stadium.
“We’re going into battle,” said Fisher about the upcoming rivalry game against UF. “These games are going to be dogfights. People are going to try and be the ones that knock us out,”
