Florida State began Rick Stockstill’s brief tenure as interim coach with a road victory Saturday, beating Boston College 31-24. Wins away from Doak Campbell Stadium have been rare for the Seminoles in recent seasons.
Amari Thomas scored twice on the ground, including an 11-yard touchdown with 2:29 remaining that put FSU in front. The Seminoles had not won on the road since Nov. 25, 2023. Quarterback Ashton Daniels completed 15 of 26 passes for 178 yards and threw one interception.
Boston College quarterback Mason McKenzie threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns, along with an interception. With the score tied at 24, Florida State put together a 90-yard drive spanning 14 plays before Thomas broke outside for the decisive score.
Stockstill, who played quarterback under longtime FSU coach Bobby Bowden, became emotional after the game. He said the win meant a great deal to him, not only for the current players but also for former teammates and the generations of Seminoles who came before them. He added that he had given his all to Florida State as a player and intended to do the same during his time as interim coach.
McKenzie was shaken up and left the game midway through the third quarter, but returned on the following series. Boston College then took a 24-21 lead with an unusual trick play: the offense spun in a circle before spreading out, and McKenzie tossed a short underhand pass to Javarius Green for a two-yard touchdown. Coach Bill O’Brien said the play had been included in the game plan because the staff thought it would work against Florida State.
Gabe Panikowski tied the game with a 22-yard field goal.
Florida State was playing for the first time since Mike Norvell was fired after more than six seasons as head coach. The Seminoles trailed 17-7 in the second quarter but scored twice in the final six minutes of the first half. Thomas’s 20-yard run down the right sideline cut Boston College’s lead to three.
Boston College entered the game looking to recover from a 47-2 defeat, one of the most lopsided losses of O’Brien’s tenure. The Eagles are scheduled to visit No. 11 Notre Dame next week.
