Staying four years is no longer incredibly common for major college football players. Too often today, the nation’s top prospects are quick to leave school early and enter the NFL Draft. Florida State’s senior class has been part of one of the more incredible spans for a program with a very storied football history. In a series called “Senior Moments”, we’ll be looking back at the top 5 moments from key members of the winningest senior class in Florida State history.
Karlos Williams never blossomed into the All-American defensive back that folks in Tallahassee expected when the 5-star recruit first landed on campus as a safety in 2011. The Davenport product however, has gone on to become an intricate part of FSU’s return to prominence. Once a top safety recruit, Williams finally settled into his role at running back. It’s been a very good Seminole career for Williams and here are the best five moments from that career:
5. The First Carry
Nevada 7, Florida State 62
September 14th, 2013
Karlos Williams didn’t make the transition from safety to running back until the second game of the 2013 season. After starting at safety for the Labor Day opener against Pittsburgh, Williams made the move to tailback for Florida State’s first home game against Nevada. The Seminoles easily disposed of the Wolf Pack 62-7, but Williams made it known with his first career carry that he would not be switching back to safety as he took a pitch from quarterback Jameis Winston 65 yards for a touchdown. Williams would finish the day with 110 yards on the ground on just eight carries.
4. A Career Day
Florida State 56, N.C. State 41
September 27th, 2014
Head coach Jimbo Fisher’s unwillingness to abandon the run after Florida State fell behind 24-7 in its first true road game of the 2014 season led to a career-day for Karlos Williams as a senior. In a 56-41 victory over N.C. State, Williams carried the ball 21 times for 126 yards and three touchdowns — all career-highs — as the Seminoles ran away from the Wolfpack late in Raleigh.
3. Overtime Game-Winner
Clemson 17, Florida State 23 (Overtime)
September 20th, 2014
What was a tough night for Karlos Williams in Florida State’s 2014 ACC opener against Clemson turned into one where Williams would be the hero. After the Florida State defense forced a late turnover in FSU territory to keep its hopes alive in regulation, it stood tall on a 4th-and-short against the Tiger offense in the extra session. On the Seminoles’ possession in overtime, it took Williams just two plays to bury Clemson. After Williams gained 13 on the first play of overtime for FSU, he raced 12 yards past Clemson defenders for the game-winning touchdown, giving the Seminoles a 23-17 victory.
2. The Fake Punt
Auburn 31, Florida State 34
January 6th, 2014
Kelvin Benjamin’s 2-yard touchdown catch over Auburn’s Chris Davis will forever be the lasting memory from Florida State’s 34-31 victory over the Auburn Tigers in the final BCS National Championship. The Seminoles erased a 21-3 deficit to win their third national title, but the catalyst for the comeback perhaps came on a fake punt late in the first half. With Florida State struggling offensively, Jimbo Fisher dialed up a fake punt to Karlos Williams, who ran for seven yards and a first down on 4th-and-4. Williams’ first down would lead to a touchdown on the final drive of the first half and serve as a turning point as the Seminoles outscored Auburn 31-10 for the remainder of the contest.
1. A Championship Sealing Interception
Florida State 21, Georgia Tech 15
December 1st, 2012
As a defensive back, Karlos Williams managed just one interception during his Florida State career, but it could not have come at a more opportune time. As the Seminoles looked for their first ACC Championship in seven years on December 1st, 2012, Georgia Tech got the ball down 21-15 with one last chance to ruin Florida State’s title hopes. With the Seminoles needing just one stop, Williams stepped in front of a Tevin Washington pass and tipped it to himself for the interception that would preserve Florida State’s ACC crown. It would also serve as the beginning of what is currently a 29-game winning streak.
