Although the BCS Championship is coming to a close, the curtains have only begun to rise on the Jameis Winston’s promising career. His unprecedented journey, which already saw him take Florida State University Seminoles to an undefeated season and win him the second Heisman Trophy awarded to a Freshman, took the barely twenty year old quarterback to the Vizio National Championship Game, last night. Even though the underdog Auburn University Tigers put up a serious fight, reeling from a number of inopportune mishaps, and typically hostile crowd, Winston refused to fail before adversity, and helped to rally him and his teammates to victory. Capturing not only the first Non-SEC BCS National Championship in eight years, but the first triple crown (undefeated season, Heisman Trophy, National Championship) by a Freshman Quaterback ever, an acknowledgement to both his skill and worth to his football team.

It was a rough going in the first half; Auburn’s defense had one method of rattling the Unconquerable FSU offense: bring as much pressure as possible. While the Seminoles struck first with Robert Aguayo’s 35 yard field goal, this lead lasted for only six minutes and would be their only score until a minute before the half ended. Winston and his All-American Offense Line faced an innumerable amount of Blitzes, five, six, and even seven man rushes that had them on their heels and rushed the entire half. The young quarterback began to show his inexperience, slinging questionable pass after terrible toss, barely allowing his offense to stay on the field for more than three plays. Towards the end of the Second Quarter, when it became clear to everyone that the long ball was not an option, Winston tried to make it happen on the ground; these scrambles worked effectively, but not before he coughed the ball up on their 27 yard line, leading to an Auburn score. However, this new approach proved successful, as the QB converted a crucial Third Down using his legs, which extended a drive that eventually ended with a Devonta Freeman three yard rushing Touchdown.

Auburn’s First Half was the complete opposite; the Tigers offense looked more like the unstoppable machine, hungrily prowling for any points left on the field. Quarterback Nick Marshall, typically a dangerous Read Option threat, started the game impeccably from the pocket; commanding his team downfield, and throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for a third. Running Back, Tre Mason, could not be stopped, dicing the normally stingy Seminole Defense for close to 90 yards in the first two periods. When the whistle signaling the end of the half was heard, it seemed that the Tigers had this game fully in the grasp, with a shocking 21-10 lead.

Great leaders are made and called upon when the impossible is the only way to get things done, and overcoming such a harrowing first half felt almost impossible. It is abundantly clear, that FSU has found its leader for the future in Jameis Winston, who shouldered much of the tough work required to achieve victory. At the beginning of the half it seemed like nothing had changed, and the Seminoles were on the verge of full collapse. Auburn’s pressure kept finding ways to hurry his decisions, he was or was close to being sacked multiple times, and his receivers were dropping passes. Luckily, his defense was able to secure enough stops to ensure that the bleeding couldn’t get worse, and allow him and his coach, Jimbo Fisher, enough time to work out a better game plan. They were able to get a Field Goal, which moved them into striking distant and an 8 point deficit at the close of the Third Quarter.

When the Fourth Quarter began, no one knew what to expect from the fifteen minutes of football ahead, but everyone knew to keep watching. Jameis Winston believed and kept the moral of his troops as high as possible. With twelve minutes left on the clock, the Seminoles received the ball, and he went back to work. He drove the team 56 yards down the field, with the help of Devonta Freeman once again, and completed a twelve yard pass to Chad Abram that put them within one point from tying the game.

Auburn was going to go out lightly, retaliating with their own field goal, stretching the lead to four points. Unfortunately for them, on the ensuing kick-off to Levonte Whitfield, two of their players missed their assignments and they watched the Seminole take the ball 100 yards to the endzone for a touchdown. The Seminoles finally clawed their way back to the lead, for the first time since the first quarter, at 26-24. Although, Tre Mason wasn’t too enthused, and ruined the early celebration for FSU fans, when he scored on a 37 yard rushing TD, to give Auburn the lead once again.

With a 1:19 left in the game, it was Winston’s time to shine and put his money where his metaphorical mouth was. The Seminoles could only win with a Touch Down, a Field Goal would be useless. Completing six of his seven passes, driving 80 yards downfield, leaving on thirteen seconds on the time clock, Winston threw the go ahead touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin; handing the Seminoles the win, the championship, and the last Coaches Trophy ever. 34-31 was the final. It was a thrilling conclusion and definitely cemented Jameis’ name in the archives of great FSU and BCS Quarterbacks.

This Championship Game was one of the best in a long time, the entire second half was thrilling. It also marks the end of the BCS Era, giving way to the four team playoff system that will be introduced next year. There has always been contention as to what teams should be able to play for the Championship, which the new plan should take care of, it is clear that the Seminoles definitely deserved it this year. Going perfect and dominating majority of their opponents was a testament to their high level of talent and play. Hopefully next year’s new system will allow viewers to witness a game that was this exciting again, and showcases a new unlikely hero.

Jimi (@Nativejimi)

*Photo’s taken by photographers working for USA Today and can be found here