Florida State found a way to finish Saturday afternoon in Chestnut Hill, and the result gave interim head coach Rick Stockstill a memorable first win. The Seminoles edged Boston College 31-24 at Alumni Stadium, improving to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in ACC play while handing the Eagles the same record.
Stockstill became the sixth coach in Florida State history to win his first game leading the Seminoles, and the first to do it since 2017.
The game turned on a steady Florida State response after Boston College jumped out to a 10-0 start on its first two possessions. The Seminoles got a spark from freshman wide receiver Jasen Lopez, whose 40-yard punt return set up a short field at the Boston College 29-yard line. That field position led to Florida State’s first touchdown early in the second quarter, when fifth year quarterback Ashton Daniels finished a drive with a four-yard run.
Daniels was efficient enough to keep the offense moving, completing 15 of 26 passes for 178 yards while adding 38 rushing yards and a touchdown. His 13th rushing touchdown of the season moved him into a tie for 10th in program history for rushing touchdowns in a single season.
Florida State then answered Boston College’s next touchdown with a strong stretch before halftime. Junior wide receiver Micahi Danzy kept showing up in key spots, and freshman running back Amari Thomas finished the drive with a 20-yard touchdown run for his first career score. That cut the deficit to 17-14.
The Seminoles weren’t done before the break. After the defense forced another quick three-and-out, Florida State marched deep into Boston College territory and pulled off a fake field goal at the goal line.
On fourth-and-goal, Carter Jula flipped the ball to fifth year kicker Gabe Panikowski, who ran untouched into the end zone. That score gave Florida State a 21-17 lead and capped a run of three straight scoring drives.
The Seminoles closed the half with 14 unanswered points.
Boston College briefly moved back in front in the third quarter, but Florida State kept answering. Panikowski later tied the game with a 22-yard field goal after a 14-play drive that featured a 13-yard catch by Danzy and a 30-yard contested grab by Lopez.
Then came the drive that decided it. After forcing a punt, Florida State put together its longest march of the day, going 90 yards in 14 plays over 8:16.
Thomas, who had already been piling up yardage, punched in the winner with an 11-yard touchdown run and 2:29 left to put the Seminoles ahead 31-24. He carried the ball six times on that drive alone.
Thomas finished with career highs of 98 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. Florida State has now had a player score multiple touchdowns in seven of its nine games this season.
Danzy led the passing game with 86 receiving yards, tying his career high with seven catches. It was his third game this season with at least 80 receiving yards.
On defense, fifth year defensive back Ashlynd Barker led the Seminoles with 10 tackles, and Florida State also came away with two interceptions. Senior defensive back Ja'Bril Rawls recorded his first interception of the season and the second of his career, while junior defensive back Nehemiah Chandler added his second interception of the season and fourth of his career.
Florida State finished the game by shutting Boston College out in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Eagles 10-0 in the final period to seal the 31-24 win.
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Gabe Panikowski finished the play in style, turning the surprise call into a touchdown, while freshman Amari Thomas gave Florida State another boost with 98 rushing yards and two scores. For a team still trying to build something sturdier under Stockstill, the win offered a rare road breakthrough and a reminder that the Seminoles can still find answers in unexpected places. The next test comes Nov. 13 against Pittsburgh, where Florida State will try to make this one feel like the start of something. [Read more 🡒]
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Amari Thomas became the central figure in that response, carrying the offense with 19 rushes for 98 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner. In a 31-24 finish, Florida State showed enough resilience to get through the chaos and enough fresh energy to hint at what this roster might look like as it keeps moving forward. [Read more 🡒]