The first show of support came about 30 minutes before kickoff when Jameis Winston’s face appeared on the Doak Campbell stadium scoreboard and he was announced as Florida State’s starting quarterback.
Then, as Winston took the field for the Seminoles’ first offensive series against Syracuse, another roar, this one much louder.
And from there the cheers grew as Florida State continued its track toward a spot in the national championship game with another dominating performance, 59-3 over Syracuse on Saturday.
The Seminoles (10-0, 8-0 ACC) finished the season unbeaten in the ACC for the eighth time since joining the league in 1992 and strengthened their hold on the No. 2 spot in the BCS standings.
Florida State has won its first 10 games of the season for the first time since 1999 and has scored at least 40 points in every game and more than 50 six times.
“That’s one of the best football teams I’ve seen in my 23 years coaching,” Syracuse coach Scott Shafer said. “They are big. They are fast. They are talented and they know what they’re doing.”
Winston was playing for the first time since it became public he is being investigated in an alleged sexual assault in December.
The redshirt freshman did nothing to hurt his status as the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy with his most efficient game since the opener at Pittsburgh. Winston completed all but two of his 21 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns as the Seminoles scored on their first six possessions (five touchdowns and a field goal) to lead 38-0 at the half.
“Our team did what we had to do and focus and control things they can control and that’s how it played,” coach Jimbo Fisher said.
Winston passed 1993 Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward on the Seminoles’ single-season touchdown passing list with his 28th of the season. Ward attended the game as the Seminoles’ 1993 national championship team was honored.
The Seminoles had touchdown runs from James Wilder (his first of two), freshman Kermit Whitfield on a 74-yard run and Devonta Freeman before Winston’s first touchdown pass, a 6-yarder to Rashad Greene to make it 28-0.
Less than four minutes later, Winston completed a 6-yard fade to Belle Glade’s Kelvin Benjamin (six catches, 66 yards) to push the FSU lead to 35-0.
Winston did not take a snap in the second half. Sean Maguire replaced Winston and threw a 17-yard scoring pass to former Dwyer High standout Nick O’Leary, who set an FSU tight end record with his 11th career touchdown reception.
“Jameis is a huge leader,” said O’Leary, who had three catches for 55 yards. “He gets us ready to go.”
Winston was all smiles leaving the field. He stopped to slap hands and hug with coaches’ kids and gave high fives to fellow students before walking into the tunnel.
“He has a lot going on around him from the start of the season,” Seminoles defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan said. “When you play like he plays a lot is going to come with it whether it’s in a good or a bad way. He’s just going out and playing his game.”
Winston was asked if the week was business as usual.
“Always,” he said. He later added. “We prepare ourselves the same way every single week. We’re a big family so we stay inside the family.”
The Seminoles’ receivers said they saw no change in Winston in the huddle.
“Same Jameis,” said Kenny Shaw, who led FSU with seven catches and 99 yards. “He’s our teammate — at the end of the day, that’s my brother. We still focused on Syracuse.”
Winston’s contributions went beyond his numbers. He made a block 40 yards downfield on Whitfield’s run.
“Anything for our team to have success, I’m down for it,” Winston said.
Florida State finished with 523 yards of total offense one week after gaining a season low 296 in a 59-3 win at Wake Forest.
But against Wake Forest the defense kick-started FSU with two touchdowns. This time it was the quick strike offense. Syracuse held a 41:42 to 18:18 advantage in time of possession.
The Seminoles also forced two more turnovers, including freshman Chris Casher’s 31-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, and have 18 turnovers in the last five games.
“They’ve playing very disciplined, flying to the ball, creating turnovers,” Fisher said about the defense. “We have a lot of athletic guys, that are also big guys, that are being very physical and very disciplined in how they’re playing.”
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