Despite pedestrian effort from Jameis Winston, FSU able to roll through Wake
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston wasn't "famous" in the Seminoles' 43-3 victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday. But the Seminoles didn't need him to be.
Florida State's defense dominated the overmatched Demon Deacons, and Roberto Aguayo, the nation's best kicker, added a season-high five field goals.
"I thought Roberto was outstanding, which he usually is," Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher said. "It's amazing what that guy can do .... He just walks out and kicks 'em, you don't get a lot of guys like that."
In allowing 126 yards of total offense, the Florida State defense improved from last week's performance that saw them miss 33 tackles and give up 41 points.
"Thought they were outstanding," Fisher said of his defense. "They tackled, stayed contained, and totally dominated the game."
The defense needed the performance to not only redeem themselves from last week, but also to pick up the slack of an offense that underperformed.
"This week, when they weren't doing their best, we just had to pick them up," safety Tyler Hunter said. "It is a team effort."
On paper, the Seminoles offense would appear to have played well. They racked up 475 total yards and scored 36 points.
But it was the multiple dropped passes, stalled drives, and two early turnovers -- an interception by Winston and a fumble by running back Karlos Williams -- that caused the Seminoles to struggle.
"Offense, we were never in a rhythm," Fisher said. "Had a lot of yards, but still very inconsistent .... Had a lot of opportunities that we should have played a lot better on offense."
Outside of a 53-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Travis Rudolph, Winston had a very pedestrian day, going 23 of 39 for 297 yards and accounting for two touchdowns (one rushing) with the interception.
"Obviously, it's my job to get the team going," Winston said. "But at the end of the day, that's what we've got that defense for."
That defense was able to keep Wake Forest out of the end zone, making it eight years since the Demon Deacons have scored a touchdown inside Doak Campbell stadium.
"Against a team like that, we just get overwhelmed," Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson said. "Especially when we are on offense and they are on defense."
