Jameis Winston wasn’t having any of it, and he let his successors hear it. Very loud, very clear.
In Monday night’s Top 25 showdown with Ole Miss, Florida State was getting its arse handed to it as the Rebels jumped out to a 28-13 halftime lead. All-American running back Dalvin Cook was essentially shut down, while first-time starter at quarterback Deondre Francois was harassed and harangued throughout a rough first two quarters.
And then a former FSU quarterback happened, with the 2013 Heisman winner delivering an impassioned halftime plea -- “We some dogs, we ain’t some puppies!” -- in large part directed at the Seminoles offensive line.
(WARNING: Some language might not be safe for work.)
(Video courtesy of Showtime’s “A Season with Florida State Football” series)
Following Winston’s dressing down, the ‘Noles went on a 32-0 second-half run, claiming an epic 45-34 win that kept the ACC program in the thick of the national title conversation. Overcoming a 22-point deficit -- they were down by 28-6 at one point in the first half -- served as the greatest comeback in a win in the history of the football program.
Three years removed from leading FSU to its most recent national championship, Winston might eventually be able to lay claim to lighting the spark that helps lead to the latest when all of the 2016 dust settles.