Florida State Beats Boston College 31-24 as Interim Coach Rick Stockstill Wins His Debut

Florida State beat Boston College 31-24 at Alumni Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, giving interim coach Rick Stockstill a win in his first game in charge. It was also the Seminoles’ first road win since Nov. 25, 2023, according to the Associated Press.

Running back Amari Thomas scored twice, and his 11-yard touchdown run with 2:29 left was the winner.

First game after Norvell’s firing

This was Florida State’s first game since the school fired coach Mike Norvell after more than six seasons, the AP reported. Stockstill, 68, played quarterback at FSU under Bobby Bowden and got emotional afterward.

“This was emotional for me today,” Stockstill said, per the AP. “I guess I wanted it as much for our players in there as I did for my former teammates and all our other players that came before us.”

How the game unfolded

Boston College scored on its opening drive with a 6-yard run by Bo MacCormack III, and Luca Lombardo’s 48-yard field goal made it 10-0. After Ashton Daniels ran in from 4 yards for Florida State, BC quarterback Mason McKenzie hit Nedrick Boldin Jr. on a 29-yard touchdown, and the Eagles led 17-7 in the second quarter.

Florida State then scored two touchdowns in the last six minutes of the first half. Thomas went 20 yards down the right sideline to make it 17-14.

Next came the play of the game. Lined up for what looked like a 20-yard field goal, holder Carter Jula flipped a lateral over his shoulder to kicker Gabe Panikowski, who ran it in from a yard out with 51 seconds left before halftime. That put FSU ahead 21-17. Panikowski said the fake, called “Silver Silver,” was added to the playbook that week, the AP reported.

“I’ve got coach Bowden blood in me. He ran a trick play or two himself,” Stockstill said.

BC’s own trick play

Boston College had a trick play of its own in the third quarter. McKenzie was shaken up and left the game, but he came back the next series. On a play where every offensive player spun in a circle before shifting into a spread formation, he flipped an underhanded 2-yard touchdown pass to Javarius Green, putting BC ahead 24-21, according to the AP.

Panikowski tied the game at 24 with a 22-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Florida State then put together a 14-play, 90-yard drive, finished by Thomas breaking outside for the go-ahead score.

Key numbers

• Amari Thomas: 19 carries, 98 yards, 2 TDs (ESPN)
• Ashton Daniels: 15 of 26, 178 yards, 1 INT, plus a rushing TD
• Mason McKenzie (BC): 15 of 27, 166 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• Bo MacCormack III (BC): 16 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD

The AP reported that Florida State center Bradyn Welch-Joiner was carted off with what appeared to be an inflatable cast on his right foot or ankle. There was no immediate update on his status.

What’s next

Both teams are now 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the ACC. The AP noted Florida State can still become bowl eligible. The Seminoles play at Pittsburgh on Friday night. Boston College visits No. 11 Notre Dame next Saturday and still has games against Miami and Notre Dame among its last three.

FAQ