BCS championship, Auburn vs. Florida State

Florida State Coach Jimbo Fisher hoists the BCS trophy after a 34-31 victory over Auburn in the national title game at the Rose Bowl on Monday night.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Florida State Coach Jimbo Fisher hoists the crystal BCS trophy overhead during the postgame ceremony after winning the national title with a 34-31 victory over Auburn.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Florida State players and fans celebrate on the Rose Bowl field after the Seminoles defeated Auburn, 34-31, in the BCS title game.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Florida State Coach Jimbo Fisher raises his arms in the final seconds as the Seminoles clinch a 34-31 victory over Auburn in the BCS title game.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Florida State defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (8) and defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. celebrate after stopping Auburn on the final play of the BCS title game.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Florida State receiver Kelvin Benjamin catches the game-winning, two-yard touchdown pass over Auburn cornerback Chris Davis in the final minute of the BCS title game.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn cornerback Chris Davis makes contact with Florida State receiver Rashad Greene in the end zone on a third-and-goal play in the final minute of the BCS title game, drawing an interference penalty.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn running back Tre Mason, who finished with 195 yards rushing in 34 carries, gets past a Florida State defender on a 37-yard touchdown run with 1:19 left in the fourth quarter, giving the Tigers a 31-27 lead.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn running back Tre Mason breaks through the Florida State defense at the start of a 37-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Florida State receiver Kermit Whitfield nears the goal line to complete a 100-yard kickoff return with 4:31 left in the fourth quarter to give the Seminoles a 27-24 lead in the BCS title game.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Florida State fullback Chad Abram leaps over Auburn defensive back Ryan Smith on an 11-yard touchdown pass play early in the fourth quarter, cutting the Seminoles’ deficit to 21-20 in the BCS title game.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Florida State running back James Wilder flips as he goes airborne on a run against Auburn in the third quarter.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Florida State running back Devonta Freeman gets into the end zone against Auburn linebacker Kris Frost to cut the Seminoles’ deficit to 21-10 just before halftime.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Florida State running back Devonta Freeman (8) celebrates with teammates after scoring on a three-yard run late in the second quarter.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Offensive linemen hoist running back Devonta Freeman as they celebrate his touchdown run in the second quarter.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn defensive back Ryan White (19) deflects a pass intended for Florida State tight end Nick O’Leary on a play defended by teammate Chris Davis (11) in the second quarter.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn Coach Gus Malzahn has some words for his team in the second quarter.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn receiver Melvin Ray (82) celebrates with teammate Trovon Reed after scoring on a 50-yard touchdown pass play in the second quarter of the BCS national title game on Monday night at the Rose Bowl.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn receiver Melvin Ray gets past Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey to score on a 50-yard pass play in the second quarter.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn defensive end LaDarius Owens grabs the facemask of Florida State running back Devonta Freeman during a play in the second quarter.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn quarterback Nick Davis beats Florida State linebacker Telvin Smith to the corner of the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter to give the Seminoles a 21-3 lead.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn running back Tre Mason is brought down by Florida State linebacker Telvin Smith in the second quarter.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn linebacker Jake Holland (5) chases down a fumble by Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston in the first half.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Florida State Coach Jimbo Fisher talks to linebacker Telvin Smith after Auburn scored the game’s first touchdown in the first quarter.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Defensive end Dee Ford and Auburn put continual pressure on Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston in the first half.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn defensive back Johnathan Ford runs into Florida State punter Cason Beatty, drawing a penalty to keep alive a Seminoles drive in the first half.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Florida State defensive back Ronald Darby breaks up a pass intended for Auburn receiver Sammie Coates in the first quarter.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Florida State running back James Wilder has no room to run against the Auburn defense in the first quarter.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn running back Tre Mason follows his blockers on a three-yard touchdown run against Florida State in the first quarter.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn running back Tre Mason celebrates after his three-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn receiver Marcus Davis hauls in a long pass behind Florida State defensive back Nate Andrews in the first quarter.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall is hit by Terrance Smith as he attempts a pass in the first quarter.   (Harry How / Getty Images)

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston enters the stadium before the BCS championship game against Auburn at the Rose Bowl.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn and Florida State fans mingle in a mixed section of end-zone seats before the BCS national title game.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Auburn fans (from left) Amy Camp, Apryl Camp, Taylor Norris and Paige Davis attend a tailgate party before the BCS championship game between Florida State and Auburn on Monday at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.  (Christina House / For The Times)