No. 1 Florida State overcomes adversity to record 56-41 win at N.C. State

RALEIGH, N.C.– In some ways the start was predictable.

The top-ranked Seminoles found themselves down by 17 at the end of the first quarter at the place where they have experienced the most heartbreak during the Jimbo Fisher era. But on Saturday afternoon, in front of a crowd of 57,583 here at Carter-Finley Stadium, Florida State (4-0, 2-0 ACC) overcame one adverse situation after another as they headed back to Tallahassee with the 56-41 victory over N.C. State (4-1, 0-1 ACC).

It was the Seminoles' first win at the Wolfpack's house since 2008, snapping the program's longest – and only – losing record on the road in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"We're still not playing the football we're capable of, which at times is frustrating," said Fisher, after recording his first win as a head coach at the stadium. "But it's also very encouraging, because we're finding ways to win games and we are getting better."

With the win, the reigning national champions extended their school-record winning streak to 20 games.

"This is my first time as a Seminole beating N.C. State in their house," said fifth-year senior offensive lineman Cameron Erving following his third trip to N.C. State. "Much respect to them because they have a great atmosphere here, good crowd. Let's just say, their fans are gonna get to you, try to get to you at least.

"It was definitely big for me personally to go out and winning here at N.C. State, because they were a good team."

It was not until the end of the third quarter that the Seminoles led.

After true freshman outside linebacker Lorenzo Featherston sacked Jacoby Brissett for a 17-yard loss, the elusive quarterback fumbled and true freshman Jacob Pugh recovered the ball for Florida State with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The turnover put FSU's offense, which had already scored 35 points on the night, at N.C. State's 6-yard line.

In usual Rashad Greene fashion, the senior star wide receiver came up with a 4-yard touchdown grab to put the Seminoles up 42-38, for their first lead of the shootout, which lasted more than four hours.

"We knew it was going to be a dog fight," said senior running back Karlos Williams, who finished with 126 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. "We've been here before.

" … We knew it was going to be a dog fight. We just had to tough it out like we before."

Before Greene – who surpassed 3,000 career receiving yards during the game, moving into third place on the Seminoles' all-time receiving list – came up with the touchdown catch that gave the Seminoles their first lead of the contest, even he faced some adversity.

After FSU's defense had worked to come away with a three-and-out, the senior fumbled a punt return – giving the ball back to the Wolfpack and accounting for one of his team's four turnovers.

Making his return to the field after serving a suspension during FSU's 23-17 overtime victory against Clemson, reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston had the Seminoles' other three turnovers.

"I said, 'Lord, of all the guys,'" said Fisher, remembering his mood after watching Greene's fumble. "Jameis throws a couple knucklehead balls, which he never does and Rashad puts a ball on the ground trying to make it happen."

Even though FSU gave up 20 points off of turners, in comparison to the 7 points the Seminoles scored off of a pair of N.C. State turnovers, the reigning national champions still found a way win.

"We played our hearts out," N.C State head coach Dave Doeren said. "… It was a great effort. We just didn't make some plays in the fourth that we needed to. I'm proud of our guys though."

As FSU's defense struggled early, breaking coverages en route to a school-worst 24 points allowed in the opening quarter, the team struggled to tackle throughout the game.

Just one week after the Seminoles' Winston-less offense relied heavily on its defense, the roles were reversed at Carter-Finley.

With junior defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. out for the game, the team rode its offense to victory.

"That's the true meaning of team," Winston said. "… When the last time the offense and defense actually clicked on the same night? I don't know.

"We have so much potential."

The potential was on display in the most crucial of moments as true freshmen Featherston and Pugh combined for eight tackles, including 2 1/2 tackles for loss and a sack.

The first-year players did it against Brissett, who gave the Seminoles' defensive front fits all night with his big-play ability.

The transfer from Florida finished the game 32 of 48 for 359 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

"That guy is a competitor," said Fisher of the quarterback he recruited. "He's a lot like the guy we've got."

Of course, the guy FSU has under center also turned in an impressive stat line, despite his three turnovers.

With the nation continuing to watch and criticize his every move, Winston finished 26 of 38 for 365 yards and four touchdowns.

"There's no pressure when the football field is your sanctuary, man," said the redshirt sophomore, who described his return to the field as a "special feeling" "Because when you step in between those lines, whatever's in between those lines, that's all that matters."

Students held signs that mocked the obscenities the quarterback used on the FSU campus, which resulted in his suspension. There were others that made fun of his leaving a local grocery store during the offseason without paying for crab legs and other items.

But Winston says he paid none of that any attention, as he remains undefeated as FSU's starting quarterback.

"He knows he has our support and nothing else matters besides this family," Greene said. "What else could you ask for? We're not worried about the outside world. It's pretty much us against the world."