Mariota, (3) Ducks Rout (2) Florida State in Rose Bowl

Prior to the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif., the Florida State Seminoles hadn’t lost in 29 games, or 1,133 days — when quarterback Jameis Winston was in high school.

About a year ago on Jan. 6, 2014 in the same stadium, the Seminoles — fresh off Winston’s Heisman win — defeated the Auburn Tigers, 34-31 to win the national title, following a monumental comeback, where FSU trailed at halftime, 21-10.

Given the Seminoles record of trailing six times at halftime during the regular season (and mounting comebacks), a five point differential at halftime in Wednesday’s Rose Bowl wasn’t time to hit the panic button for FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher.

However, it was in the second half where the Seminoles’ hopes at regaining control — or at least keeping it a balanced game — began imploding, as turnovers became their Achilles’ heel.

In six straight possessions — four on turnovers — the Oregon Ducks managed to score 34 points in less than 13 minutes, to turn FSU’s 20-25 deficit, into the Ducks’ complete 59-20 domination.

With Oregon’s ability to get plays off in a 20.2 second average against a Florida State team that ranks No. 84 in the nation in turnovers, the mismatch in the capabilities of each offense only got further exploited and highlighted with each passing second.

Florida State running back Dalvin Cook accounted for two second half fumbles that led to Oregon touchdowns.

“It got away from us, and it started with me,” said Cook after the game. “I made some mistakes that put our defense in a situation where [Oregon] was already in a chance of scoring. That’s some mistakes I can’t make. I ain’t gonna blame it on nothing; It’s on me. I made mistakes.”

The Seminoles knew Oregon was a high potency offense, and its secondary anticipated deep passes by Mariota, who finished the day 36/26 for 338-yards, with two passing touchdowns and one interception, on top of eight rushes for 62-yards and a rushing touchdown.

But it appeared that what FSU didn’t anticipate, was Oregon starting slow on offense, and keeping it on the ground with three rushing touchdowns by Royce Freeman and Thomas Tyner — all for three yards or less. This was followed by two touchdowns in the air, a 58-yard fumble return by Tony Washington, and a 23-yard keeper by Mariota to open the fourth quarter. The Ducks’ final touchdown for the night was a 21-yard run by Tyner — all of which contributed to Oregon etching a record into the Rose Bowl history books as the first participant in its history to score 50 points.

Despite a sideline spat with Winston, Fisher reinforced confidence in his starting quarterback following the game.

“I think what he did as a competitor and what he does with his teammates, he’s one of the great players in not only college football, but college football history to me,” Fisher said. “It was a tough day out there.”

Tough indeed. The 101st Rose Bowl game was surrounded by hype, a highly anticipated contest between the reigning Heisman winner, and the one that immediately preceded him. Instead, Winston finished 29/45 for 348-yards, one touchdown, and a disastrous fumble that seemed to sum up the game in just one play.

Following the game, several Oregon players began changing “No Means No” to the tune of the Seminoles’ iconic chant, in reference to the rape allegations against Winston from 2012. After lengthy proceedings, Winston was never charged, and was cleared by the university in December, 2014. However, Ducks’ head coach Mark Helfrich released a statement following the chant, saying the actions his players displayed was “inappropriate behavior,” and indicated that the players would be disciplined at some capacity.

Alternatively, according to some Florida State football players, upon returning to campus, cars were keyed, and a fan allegedly had his tires slashed. Seminoles’ linebacker Anthony Valdes tweeted:

Winston has yet to make a decision about whether he is declaring for the NFL Draft, but did indicate that he was getting ready for FSU’s baseball season, so that’s being closely monitored at this point.

But what we do know, is that Oregon will face the winners of the Sugar Bowl, the Ohio State Buckeyes on Championship Monday in Arlington, Tex., on January 12. Kickoff is at 8:30pm EST.

*Section Photo credit to Kelvin Kuo, USA Today Sports; Featured Photo (above) credit to KC Alfred, San Diego Union-Tribune

Gene Chizik Agrees to Become UNC Defensive Coordinator
Gene Chizik Agrees to Become UNC Defensive Coordinator