Florida State University quarterback Jameis Winston has been cleared by a school panel that considered whether he violated the student conduct code in relation to allegations that he sexually assaulted another student two years ago . Winston was not arrested in the alleged 2012 incident , but he faced a code-of-conduct violation charge for sexual misconduct in the university hearing . The independent hearing officer on the panel , Major B. Harding , ruled that `` in sum , the preponderance of the evidence has not shown that you are responsible for any of the charged violations of the code . `` Namely , I find that the evidence before me is insufficient to satisfy the burden of proof , '' the ruling says . Florida State 's investigation was launched under Title IX , which requires schools to investigate allegations of sexual assault , even if criminal charges are never filed . Winston has denied the allegations throughout . Winston 's attorneys have said the athlete had consensual sex with the woman . A lawyer for the accuser issued a strongly worded statement in response to the ruling . `` We are stunned and dismayed by the order , '' attorney John Clune said . `` It 's not a 'decision ' at all , but a statement that the judge could n't decide . '' Clune said that of the four people inside the apartment where the rape allegedly took place , only the accuser testified . Winston and two other football players who were there refused to testify `` and somehow Jameis Winston still wins . '' The accuser 's attorney 's are considering an appeal , but for now , `` we feel a little duped , '' Clune said . Florida State President John Thrasher commended the work of Harding , a former chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court . `` He conducted a thorough Student Conduct Code hearing and reviewed more than 1,000 pages of evidence generated by three other investigations , and we would like to thank him sincerely for his service , '' Thrasher said . Winston , who won the Heisman trophy in 2013 , led the Seminoles to an undefeated regular season and a place in the inaugural College Football Playoff . Florida State will play Oregon in the Rose Bowl on January 1 . The winner will advance to the National Championship game against either Alabama or Ohio State .
A school panel does not believe Miss Winston . The independent hearing board says that there is insufficient evidence . The attorney for the woman who accused Winston of rape says he feels ` ` . ''