By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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The most important stat of the day was a daunting one for FSU: five turnovers in a span of six drives.

Throughout the entire 2014 season, it was Florida State finding a way to make plays late; the Seminoles, many times creating their own luck, often got the fortunate bounce in the second half to turn fate in their favor. The end result was Florida State winning seven different games by six points or less. Thursday afternoon in Pasadena, Oregon, and the law of averages, made up for lost time.

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and the Ducks absolutely overwhelmed the Seminoles after the break, outscoring the defending national champions 41-7 in quarters three and four. Oregon totaled the most points, 59, in Rose Bowl history, and handed Florida State its worst bowl loss, 59-20, of all-time. The Ducks finished with 639 yards of total offense, over 300 both passing and rushing. Pace of play was impressive, as there was an average of just 20.2 seconds between snaps for Oregon.

The most important stat of the day was a daunting one for the Seminoles: five turnovers in a span of six drives. The opportunistic, and unstoppable, Ducks scored a touchdown after each one of those mistakes, officially turning a competitive game into a blowout and ultimately ended Florida State’s 29-game winning streak. After a wild third period, the game’s ending featured a huge deficit and both back-up quarterbacks.

x9cI feel like we were in a good position, we just let it get away from us,” receiver Rashad Greene stated. x9cThey were able to capitalize off our faults. In big games like this, you cant have those mistakes.x9d

True freshman sensation Dalvin Cook, who ends his year with over 1,000 yards rushing and led Florida State to a number of key wins down the stretch, had two of four devastating fumbles that came in a span of a little over one quarter.

x9cI made some mistakes out there,” Cook acknowledged. x9cIve got to go back to the drawing board and Ive got to learn from it.x9d

Quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 348 yards, but fumbled on a critical fourth down late in the third quarter where he fell down and lost possession. Tony Washington returned the loose ball 58 yards for a touchdown. That score made the margin 45-20, Ducks. The loss is Winston’s first as a starter, with his career record now 26-1. Many expect the Rose Bowl to be Winston’s final college game.

x9cI was just trying to make a play,x9d Winston explained. x9cI never thought that I would slip, throw the ball backwards. Its just a very unfortunate play, but thats football.x9d

Offensively, the Seminoles’ 528 yards were the most in their last six games. The five turnovers, however, were a season-high. On a semifinal stage, against this Oregon team, those miscues were far too much to overcome.