Tuesday, January 14, 2014

2013/2014 BCS Championship - A Game For The Ages (Second Half)

We left off in the previous post at 21-10 at half-time.  The Noles were pretty worried, given FSUs showing in the first half.  The third quarter didn't provide much relief on offense, with only a Roberto Aguayo field to show for it at the 6:05 mark.



One thing the third quarter featured that no one had seen yet in the game, was some defense by FSU.  Finally, the Noles were showing some of the defensive prowess they had shown all season long, swarming sacks....


 ... and finally, some containment of Auburn's lethal running back Mason...



The fourth quarter started with a score of 21-13... a two score game.  FSU would have to do something they haven't had to do all year... come back from a deficit late in the game.  Could they do it?  Could Winston do it?  I don't think anyone knew for sure except maybe Winston himself.   The Noles started off with a good drive, capped with an eleven yard pass from Jameis to Chad Abram... 21-20 Auburn.


Neither team could do much with the ball for the next couple of series.  Auburn finally got within field goal range and knocked one through with 4:42 left in the game.  24-20.   The Noles would have to buckle down and play some serious offense for the next four minutes to win this game... or would they?  On the subsequent kickoff, Levonte Whifield ran one back 103 yards for a touchdown.  That guy was flying down the field!  Check out the "look".  27-24 Seminoles.



So now, with 4:31 left in the game, the Seminoles needed to buckle down and play some defense!  Alas, it was not to be.  The Noles defense simply could not contain Marshall and Mason, and Auburn marched down the field on a three minute drive capped by a 37 yard scamper by Mason.  31-27, War Eagles.



With 1:19 left in the game, the Seminoles needed to put together the first two minute offense they've had to manage this year.  Did they have a two minute offense?  We were fixin' to find out!

The Seminole's final drive started on their own 20 yard line.  Winston completed a quick eight yard strike to Rashad Greene who stepped out of bounds to stop the clock.  The next play... a 49 yard pass play, again to Greene!  The Ref didn't quite catch the face mask at the end of the play.  Too bad... that would have tacked on 15.



With 56 seconds left, at the Auburn 23, the Noles couldn't let up.  A field goal wouldn't cut it.  This drive was going to have to end in the endzone.  Three short completions later to Devonta Freeman and Kenny Shaw, the Noles were sitting at the Auburn five yard line, third and goal.


Second down on the five yard line, 21 seconds left, and Winston lets the play clock run out!  Ugh!  Back up five to the eight yard line and lose a down.  Winston fires one over the middle to Greene... incomplete!  But wait!... pass interference on Auburn!  First down on the three yard line, 17 seconds left, Winston fades back, scrambles away from the rush and fires a high ball to the 6'5" Kelvin Benjamin, who hauls it in with an Auburn defender all over him.  Touchdown!  34-31, FSU!


Wow!  I'm glad I don't have a heart condition!  Nice catch Kelvin!  I think his heart was palpitating a bit too...


I wasn't fully convinced of a win yet.  Even with only 13 seconds left on the clock, Auburn had proven they were hard to stop.  But stop them the Noles did and ended the game 34-31.  Undefeated.  Perfect.  Number One in the final BCS Championship game... a game for the ages.

Post game was an absolute zoo!  Check out the mayhem of media surrounding Winston and coach Jimbo Fisher as they hugged at midfield after the game.  It's like a game of Where's Waldo, except all the cameras are pointing at one place.


Coach Fisher hoisted the trophy in celebration, and then passed it around to the players.  Winston, ever his playful self, feigned dropping the ball and scared half the podium to death!


The post game celebration lasted well into the evening.  I'll leave you with my favorite photo of the evening... a Wilder Jr. Confetti Angel...



See much more of the game here. 

See a description of the first half here.

See much much more at wlpearce.com where it's all about the photos.

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