In his first game as the interim coach, Rick Stockstill's team fought hard and delivered a winning result against Boston College. The Eagles might not be the best competition that Florida State has faced this season, but a win is a win, and this one comes at a pretty critical time.
The Seminoles parted ways with coach Mike Norvell early last week after disaster struck in Tallahassee against Clemson. The Tigers looked poised and efficient on the field, which are two things the team struggled with mightily against everyone but Florida State. Norvell left a 12-game road losing streak behind that Stockstill immediately had to address with a trip to Chestnut Hill booked.
Stockstill was able to get the team to rally around him and defeat Boston College, although it was not the prettiest game. Some issues and errors still need to be worked out, but winning is ultimately how Florida State gets back on the right track.
With the dust settled on the game, here are four "winners" and two "losers" from the win who stood out the most.
Winners:
1. RB Amari Thomas
Who would've thought at the start of the season, with the depth at running back, that the freshman Thomas would be primed for a serious role? Injuries to starters Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr., as well as the dismissal of Gemari Sands, provided Thomas with a path to the field early on in his career. Tre Wisner, who suffered a few bumps and bruises against Clemson, further paved the way for Thomas to take on a serious role.
Thomas did not disappoint in his first extended action of the season, carrying the football 19 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas looked quick, physical, and confident on the field, which was just the kind of boost Florida State needed on offense. The situation at running back looked very bleak a couple of times this season, but Thomas might be able to help turn things around.
2. K Gabe Panikowski
It is not often a kicker makes the "winners" list, but when you score an important touchdown on a fake field goal to help give your team the win, it seems fitting. Panikowski has been the most consistent player on the team this season, with a perfect 8-for-8 mark on his field goal attempts.
The fake was executed beautifully, and without that score, the entire tide of the game could've changed. Florida State needs a full team effort to improve this season with such a limited amount of time left, and that means players who are already stepping up need to be even better. The Seminoles have not always given Panikowski chances to make a difference this season, but his performance against Boston College proved he is up to the task.
3. S Ashlynd Barker
It continues to be a year to remember for Barker, who is having a career-best season for Florida State in the middle of a chaotic season for the team. The secondary has been dealing with serious injuries to the depth all season, which forced Barker to play through a broken bone in his forearm. The conditions and situation are less than ideal, but the safety has been playing great football.
Barker led the team with 10 tackles against Boston College, growing his season total to 57 tackles without missing significant time. Barker is one of a handful of defensive backs who have been available all season, and Florida State needs this version of the safety to continue to improve through the final three games.
4. WR Jasen Lopez
In the wake of the injury to starting wide receiver Duce Robinson, everyone knew that somebody had to step up to take the place of a key part of the offense. Robinson had been Ashton Daniels' deep target, and without him in the lineup, there were many concerns about how the team would pick up chunk yards through the air.
Enter the freshman Lopez, and Florida State might be able to work towards a solution moving forward. Lopez recorded four receptions for 54 yards, as well as a 40-yard punt return that set Florida State up with great field position.
It was a great performance from the freshman who continues to take on bigger and bigger roles within the team. He might not be hitting the home runs yet and breaking off 100-plus yard performances, but he is doing all of the small things right, and that often will lead to bigger success in the future.
Losers:
1. RB Tre Wisner
Wisner entered the game with some injury concerns after exiting the Week 9 clash against Clemson, but the staff felt he was healthy enough to give him the start. Injury concerns aside, Wisner produced 58 yards and an average of 4.8 yards per carry against Boston College. The freshman Thomas outgained Wisner and arguably earned a more significant role within the offense moving forward.
It is a great look for Thomas, who began the season as the fourth or fifth-string running back, but it is a missed opportunity for Wisner. The injuries to Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr., while unfortunate, gave Wisner a shot at being the lone starting running back, with carries really only being split with Daniels.
Wisner has not really lived up to the expectations the Florida State staff originally had, with the running back only receiving a share of the carries due to injuries. The Seminoles still need Wisner moving forward, given the lack of depth at the position, but a case could certainly be made for Thomas to take over the bulk of the carries.
2. Former HC Mike Norvell
I know it may not seem fair to kick someone while they are down, but the person who arguably lost the most in the win over Boston College was Norvell. The ugly road losing streak was finally snapped at 12 games with Stockstill's first win as the interim coach, and he did so with increasing injury issues.
Norvell might've been able to beat Boston College as well, but it is hard to judge given the different teams that took the field this season under his watch. Florida State may have been favored by the sportsbooks, but the overwhelming majority of experts, analysts, and commentators expected the Seminoles to lose this game.
The team was able to overcome serious changes to the program and rally around Stockstill, which is something that didn't happen for Norvell earlier in the year. Norvell needed to beat Louisville and Clemson, and his team fell flat both times but delivered a winning performance in his absence.
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