NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston led a game-winning drive to defeat Auburn in the final minute of the final BCS National Championship on Monday night, but in the Seminoles’ final practice before heading to California, coach Jimbo Fisher was so frustrated with the Heisman winner’s play in the two-minute drill he kicked the redshirt freshman out of practice.
“I just saw it drifting,” Fisher said Tuesday morning of Winston’s focus in practice. “He waited for me to get off the field and we had a long discussion and we had it out. He’s an unbelievable guy to be able to process and transition and go right back … so he can be on a stage like this and be able to do what he did in that situation.
“It was just a point I thought I needed to make to him at the present time as a young guy, and like I say, sometimes you have to be their coach. You can’t be their friend.”
After completing only 6-of-15 passes in the first half, Winston was masterful on the team’s final drive, taking the Seminoles 80 yards while completing 6-of-7 passes for 77 yards, including the game-winning, 2-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin with 13 seconds left.
“He learned from it, he grew from it, and I grew from it,” Fisher said. “I wish you didn’t have to do it, but I think it just made our relationship that much stronger and we understand each other that much more.”