Nov 22, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) looks to throw the ball during the game against the Boston College Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Photo Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher and quarterback Jameis Winston defended the contact the Heisman Trophy winner had with an official during Saturday’s game against Boston College on Saturday.
Winston used his left arm to move the official away while trying to get off a quick snap with 5:20 left in the third quarter with the score tied 17-17.
An official is instructed to stand over the ball to prevent the offense from snapping it until the defense has sufficient time to counter the offense’s substitutions. The official stood between Winston and center Cam Erving to prevent the Seminoles from running the play until the Eagles made their defensive substitutions.
Winston and Fisher said there was nothing malicious about the contact the quarterback made with the official.
“He was just holding me because he said we had a substitution,” Winston said of the official. “It was actually a fast-tempo play, so I was trying to get up under there and let it ride.”
After Winston tried to move the official out of the way, the official retreated to his regular spot on the field.
Fisher said the play was designed to be run quickly after the following play, but the official tried to delay the play from being run because he ruled the Seminoles were making a substitution at running back.
“I don’t think (Winston) realized it. He was caught up in the excitement of the moment,” Fisher said. “Hey, you get emotional. He didn’t realize. He thought he could snap the ball. … He knew that was his job — get out there and set and snap the ball.”
Fisher said he did not talk to Winston about the contact he made with the official. He defended it as harmless.
“He doesn’t even remember (when he came to the sideline),” Fisher said. “When I yell at players, five minutes later, I don’t remember who I yelled at. You move on to the next thing.”
No penalty was called on the play. Florida State later took the lead and won 20-17.
“(The officials) did a good job on that from that standpoint,” he said. “I think they understood what was going on. Those guys handled that part of the game. They managed the game itself and that part, I thought, very good. They did a very nice job.”
