College football is finally done with Jameis Winston.

The previously untouchable and extremely controversial Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback saved his worst mistakes for his first college loss in what is likely his last college game.

Unless Winston somehow decides to return to Florida State for his junior year, his career — stellar on the field, infamous and even criminal off it — has ended in ignominy, with a humiliating 59-20 loss to Oregon in the Rose Bowl in the first of Thursday’s two College Football Playoff semifinals. Oregon will play the winner of the Alabama-Ohio State game Jan. 12 in Arlington, Texas, for college football’s national championship.

After flashes of brilliance that kept the Seminoles close in the first half, Winston imploded late in the third quarter, and Florida State with him. The preposterous moment that sealed Winston’s fate — that could even be attributed to two seasons’ worth of pent-up karma — will not soon be forgotten.

It was fourth-and-5 at the Oregon 30, Florida State was losing by 19 points and Winston was scrambling in the pocket, desperately searching for a receiver.

Slipping, falling backward and trying to pass all at the same time, Winston suddenly looked far more Pop Warner than Heisman. It was at that moment when the football inexplicably flipped out of his hands, flew over his head and was picked up on one bounce by Oregon linebacker Tony Washington for a 58-yard return for a touchdown and a 45-20 lead.

For all intents and purposes, the game was over. Winston fumbled without actually being touched, which made the flub all the more surreal. The video instantly went viral. It was a downright goofy play, reminiscent of Miami Dolphin kicker Garo Yepremian’s bizarre attempt at a pass in Super Bowl VII nearly 42 years ago.

“I was just trying to make a play,” Winston said after the game. “I should have got the ball in my hands earlier. It was just an unfortunate play, man. I never thought that I would slip and throw the ball backwards. It’s a very unfortunate play, but that’s football. … That was crazy.”

Winston, who turns 21 Tuesday, was known for so much more than football during his two seasons at Florida State — but not in a good way. There was a rape allegation that was all but ignored for a full year. He stole soda from a Burger King and crab legs from a Publix. He was handcuffed for possession of a BB gun. And he screamed a vulgarity while standing on a table in the FSU student union.

Yet his performance on the field of play often was stellar, and, for a time, this Rose Bowl was no exception.

For the fourth time this season, Florida State faced a double digit deficit when it fell behind 18-6 after an Oregon touchdown late in the first half. It appeared the Ducks were way too quick for Florida State.

Within barely a minute and a half, thanks to Winston, you thought just the opposite.

Winston struck with lightning speed. Three consecutive passes, followed by three consecutive rushing plays, including one for five yards by Winston himself, and FSU was in the end zone, bringing it back to within five, 18-13.

In the second half, Oregon moved ahead 25-13 with an early touchdown, but Winston answered with another scintillating drive, including a crucial conversion on third-and-21. Halfway through the third quarter, the Seminoles were back to within five points at 25-20.

They never scored again. From then on, Winston was completely outplayed by his Heisman heir, Marcus Mariota, and an offense that was far better than his.

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SOURCE: USA Today – Christine Brennan