#1 Florida State defeated #2 Auburn 34-31 in the BCS National Championship Game Monday night, returning the ACC to the national-title picture for the first time since FSU defeated then-Big East member Virginia Tech for the 2000 championship.
Auburn (12-2) led 21-3 at the half, but FSU (14-0) rallied all the way back to lead 27-24 on a 100-yard kickoff return by Levonte Winfield with 4:31 to go. The Tigers responded with 1:19 to go on a 37-yard touchdown run by Tre Mason that put Auburn up 31-27.
Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston got the ball back at the Seminole 20. After hitting Rashad Greene for eight yards on first down, Winston connected with a wide-open Greene in the right flat for a 49-yard gainer that gave Florida State a first down at the Auburn 23 with 56 seconds left.
A pass-interference penalty on a third-down pass into the end zone gave the ‘Noles a first down at the 2. Winston hit Kelvin Benjamin on a slant for the touchdown with 16 seconds left to seal the deal.
The win for Florida State broke the SEC’s eight-year national-championship streak.
The championship is the first for FSU under fourth-year coach Jimbo Fisher, who is 46-10 after replacing the legendary bobby bowden at the helm in Tallahassee.
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