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Sports

Freshman Kermit Whitfield 100-yd kickoff return propels Florida State to third national title

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Florida State's Levonte Whitfield runs back a kick off 100 yards for a touchdown during the second half of the NCAA BCS National Championship college football game against Auburn Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (The Associated Press)

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    Florida State's Levonte Whitfield (7) runs back a kickoff for a touchdown during the second half of the NCAA BCS National Championship college football game against Auburn Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (The Associated Press)

PASADENA, Calif. – America, meet Kermit Whitfield.

In a game with a Heisman winner, a Heisman finalist and future NFL players everywhere, a true freshman pulled Florida State off life support and helped the Seminoles comeback for a 34-31 victory over Auburn in the final BCS championship game.

The Seminoles trailed 24-20 with less than five minutes remaining when Auburn kicked off following a 22-yard field goal. Whitfield, one of the fastest players in the country, caught the ball in the end zone and took off up the left seam. Teammate Karlos Williams made a block and an Auburn player got out of his lane to open a gaping alley.

Whitfield was never touched en route to a 100-yard kickoff return that gave the Seminoles their first lead since going up 3-0 in the first quarter.