Boston College scores on ‘Ring-Around-The-Rosie’ play but loses to Florida State

Florida State held off Boston College 31-24 on Saturday at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, even after the Eagles scored a third-quarter touchdown on a trick play taken straight from the 1974 Burt Reynolds film “The Longest Yard,” OutKick reported. The game was played on Nov. 7, 2026. The Eagles welcomed the Florida State Seminoles to town. They stunned the college football world by dusting off the signature play.

With the Seminoles leading 21-17 in the third quarter and the Eagles facing second and goal, Boston College broke into the movie’s famous “Ring-Around-The-Rosie” huddle, spinning before lining up with offensive linemen spread across the bottom of the field. The Eagles were on the doorstep. Once past the spinning, players lined up all over the place. Quarterback Mason McKenzie then faked the play, which briefly fooled the broadcast cameraman, and tossed an underhand pass to Javarius Green for a six-yard touchdown, according to OutKick, which was also carried by wfmd.com. There was no way Florida State’s defense was prepared for any of that. Sure, the play probably could have worked without the spinning. But the spinning likely left the Seminoles’ defense wondering what on Earth was happening.

Florida State Answers With 10 Fourth-Quarter Points

The touchdown briefly put Boston College within striking distance, but the Eagles gave up 10 points in the fourth quarter and lost 31-24, OutKick reported. Florida State was led by interim head coach Rick Stockstill.

What the ‘Ring-Around-The-Rosie’ Play Is

The 1974 Burt Reynolds classic introduced the Mean Machine to the masses. The play comes from the 1974 film “The Longest Yard,” in which Burt Reynolds’ character leads the inmate team known as the Mean Machine. In the movie’s version, the offense forms a circle and spins before the snap, then runs a misdirection play. Boston College’s version added an underhand toss from McKenzie to Green for the score, jingletree.com noted in carrying the report.

McKenzie’s Pass Reverses Deficit Briefly

Did the trick play work? Yes. After the spinning huddle and the play fake, McKenzie’s underhand pass to Green went for a touchdown, cutting Florida State’s lead to 21-17 in the third quarter.

Did it change the outcome of the game? No. Boston College allowed 10 points in the fourth quarter and lost 31-24, so the touchdown did not produce a comeback.

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