<P> The 2014 BCS National Championship Game kicked off at 8: 30 p.m. EST at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California . A crowd of 94,208 people attended the game . The game was televised by ESPN, with Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit as commentators . Other ESPN networks (including ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPNU, and ESPN3) provided supplemental coverage with analysis and additional perspectives of the game, which the network branded as the BCS Megacast . An estimated 26,061,000 people watched the game on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNEWS, for a combined Nielsen rating of 14.8 . </P> <P> The pregame singing of the national anthem was performed by John Legend . </P> <P> The opening kickoff went for a touchback, thus Auburn began its opening drive at its 25 - yard line . On a third and 7 situation, the Tigers had a chance to score first when Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall threw a pass to an open Ricardo Louis . Marshall's pass fell short, however, forcing the Tigers to punt the ball away to FSU . On the Seminoles' first drive of the game, Florida State was able to drive to Auburn's red zone . However, on a third and 8 situation at Auburn's 16 - yard line, Jameis Winston was sacked by Nosa Eguae, forcing the Seminoles to settle for a 35 - yard field goal from Roberto Aguayo to give the Seminoles a 3--0 lead . </P> <P> The ensuing Auburn drive ended in a punt . However, the Tigers were able to down the punt at FSU's 2 - yard line . Auburn's defense then forced a three - and - out, forcing the Seminoles to punt from the endzone . Auburn's Chris Davis returned the punt 22 yards to Florida State's 25 - yard line . Taking advantage of the good field position, Auburn went up 7--3 on a 12 - yard touchdown pass to Tre Mason . On the ensuing Florida State drive, the Seminoles stalled at their 26 - yard line after Winston was sacked by Dee Ford . On the punt return, Auburn was called for a roughing the kicker penalty, giving FSU a first down at the Seminoles' 41 - yard line . </P>

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