FSU Gives Interim Stockstill First Win, Beat BC 31-24

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By KEN POWTAK AP
BOSTON (AP) — Amari Thomas ran for two touchdowns, his second an 11-yarder to put Florida State ahead late in the fourth quarter, and the Seminoles beat Boston College 31-24 on Saturday to make interim coach Rick Stockstill a winner in his first game.

5️⃣ making plays 😤 https://t.co/Yj5qhIlBYF pic.twitter.com/rQLY7RTbbf

— Boston College Football (@BCFootball) November 7, 2026

Ashton Daniels completed 15-of-26 passes for 178 yards with an interception for Florida State (4-5, 2-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), which won on the road for the first time since Nov. 25, 2023.

#Noles WIN!!!#NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/cZuKjhyD4u

— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) November 7, 2026

Mason McKenzie hit 15 of 27 for 166 and two TDs and a pick for BC (4-5, 2-4).

Have a day, @Amari_Thomas4 !!!

17 carries, 86 yds, 2 TDs!#NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/dGWSI1VYML

— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) November 7, 2026

With it tied at 24-all, the Seminoles marched 90 yards in 14 plays, with Thomas breaking to the outside for the go-ahead score with 2:29 left.

TOUCHDOWN, AMARI THOMAS!

He takes it 11yds to put the Noles in front

Q4: 2:29 | BC 24, FSU 31#NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/6xAVFnSZq4

— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) November 7, 2026

McKenzie was shaken up and left midway into the third quarter but returned the next series and capped off a crazy trick play when everyone on offense spun around in a circle before they lined up in a spread formation, snapped it and he tossed an underhanded pass for a two-yard TD to Javarius Green that pushed BC ahead 24-21.

Heading to the 4th#NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/37NJ2yzWyT

— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) November 7, 2026

Gabe Panikowski’s 22-yard field goal tied it.

WHAT A PLAY 🔄 pic.twitter.com/SEETuKq3yJ

— Boston College Football (@BCFootball) November 7, 2026

Playing its first game since firing coach Mike Norvell after six-plus seasons, Florida State erased a 17-7 second-quarter deficit by putting up two TDs in the final six minutes of the half. Thomas’ 20-yard TD run down the right sideline sliced the gap to three points.

🔟 finds 1️⃣6️⃣ for 6️⃣ ✔️ pic.twitter.com/ExHSLc2uq8

— Boston College Football (@BCFootball) November 7, 2026

Kicker Gabe Panikowski had a one-yard scoring run on a fake field goal with 51 seconds left, pushing Florida State in front 21-17.

Just like we drew it up@GPanikowski #NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/0ub1GaUd77

— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) November 7, 2026

Coming off the most lopsided loss in the two-plus year tenure under coach Bill O’Brien last week at Duke, the Eagles scored on the game’s opening drive with Bo MacCormack III going in for a 6-yard TD run en route to a 10-0 lead.

INTERCEPTION!

Ja'Bril Rawls snags the takeaway.

The #Noles will take over on their own 39yd line!

Q3: 9:10 | BC 17, FSU 21#NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/yLY3RvzcP7

— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) November 7, 2026

Seminoles center Bradyn Welch-Joiner was carted off with what appeared to be an inflatable cast on his right foot/ankle.

Ashton Daniels takes it in for the TOUCHDOWN

Q2:14:06 | BC 10, FSU 7#NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/HPzwwniVF0

— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) November 7, 2026

What a play
Trailing 17-14, the Seminoles lined up for what looked like a chip-shot, 20-yard field goal, but holder Carter Jula flipped a perfect lateral over his shoulder to Panikowski, who caught it in stride and scored.

IT'S A FAKE!!!!

Gabe Panikowski runs it in for the TOUCHDOWN!

Q2: 0:51 | BC 17, FSU 21#NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/MRpUCshZMW

— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) November 7, 2026

The takeaway
Florida State: How things have changed for the Seminoles since they took No. 1 Miami to double OT in a loss on Oct. 17. New coach coming, new AD and looking to revive what was once a power. But, as tough as its been, they can still become bowl eligible.