ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jameis Winston threw for 370 yards and scored on a sparkling 28-yard run, and top ranked Florida State opened defense of its national title with a 37-31 victory Saturday night over Oklahoma State on the same field where this year's champion will be crowned.
Winston wasn't nearly as efficient as he was in the college debut that jump-started his Heisman Trophy season a year ago, but made plays when he had to as the Seminoles (1-0) tied a school record with their 17th straight victory.
The Cowboys (0-1) were 19-point underdogs in the $1.2 billion home of the Dallas Cowboys but stayed close when J.W. Walsh matched Winston's scoring run with a 24-yard sprint and dive across the goal line to get within 27-24 early in the fourth quarter.
Winston's only passing touchdown was a 50-yarder to Rashad Greene, who had 203 yards receiving.
No. 4 Oklahoma defeats Louisiana Tech 48-16
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Trevor Knight passed for 252 yards and a touchdown and Keith Ford had 117 yards from scrimmage and scored two touchdowns to help 4th ranked Oklahoma defeat Louisiana Tech 48-16 Saturday night.
Ford ran for 51 yards and caught four passes for 66 yards for the Sooners, who rolled to a 31-0 lead in the second quarter of the season opener for both teams. Samaje Perine ran for 78 yards and a touchdown and Alex Ross ran for two scores for the Sooners.
Zack Sanchez led Oklahoma's defense with an interception and a blocked field goal. Oklahoma linebacker Jordan Evans was ejected in the second quarter for targeting when he tried to make a play against Louisiana Tech quarterback Cody Sokol, but the Sooners remained dominant.
Sokol, an Iowa transfer in his first career start, passed for 191 yards and two touchdowns for Louisiana Tech.