There is still a zero in the loss column for the Florida State, but the Seminoles' Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback doesn't believe he's done his part to maintain it.
In a show of humility that few thought Jameis Winston capable of, the third-year sophomore faced a cold truth following a 34-20 win over Virginia Saturday: He's simply not playing as well as he did a year ago, and turnovers are the primary reason.
"I'm hurting this team, I really am," Winston said after the game, according to various media outlets.
Winston threw two interceptions against the Cavaliers, his fifth and sixth over his last three games. For the season, he's thrown 11, one more than he threw all of last season. That ties him for 10th in the nation in the category that no quarterback wants to be ranked highly. Syracuse and The Citadel are the only two FSU opponents that have faced Winston without intercepting him at least once.
At the same time, the rate at which he is firing touchdown passes has also declined from his Heisman season of 2013. Winston threw 40 touchdown passes in 14 games last year. After eight starts this season, he's thrown only 16.
Added Winston, according to tallahassee.com: "My performance, well, as a quarterback we got a win. But, I've got to play better, man. I don't grade myself -- A, B, C or D -- but I've got to play better. ... I can't be careless with the ball."
Winston plays at rival Miami on Saturday night.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
