It was a high scoring game, but it was one of those games that all championship caliber teams must win.
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In his interview with ESPN’s Samantha Ponder leaving the field at the half, Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher showed his voice was in no shape to offer a fiery halftime speech.
The theme of the night was all about momentum. In just 6 minutes and 11 seconds, Florida State scored 23 points. Francois carried the ball nine times for 59 yards, displaying a keen awareness of when to tuck and run.
Florida State rallied in the second half for a 45-34 win over their SEC opponent.
Then it all came together in the second quarter.
Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly had a strong first half but FSU defensive end DeMarcus Walker and the rest of the defense started getting to him after halftime to slow the no-huddle offense down. On other side, Ole Miss doesn’t have any questions at quarterback, where Chad Kelly returns after throwing for 4,042 yards and 31 touchdowns to just 13 interceptions a year ago. The Rebels surrendered 419 yards and two touchdowns through the air against the Seminoles, while FSU quarterback Deondre Francois averaged 8.1 yards per attempt.
Florida State wasn’t done after the young freshman Francois connected with his tight end Ryan Izzo for a 2-yard touchdown, giving the Seminoles a 36-28 lead mid-third quarter. Some critical passes floated high, some fell short and the fourth-ranked Seminoles trailed No. 11 MS by 22 points before the end of the first quarter in Orlando, Fla.
Florida State’s 45-34 win against Ole Miss was a fitting ending to what was a insane opening college football weekend.
FSU Kicker Ricky Aguayo, yes he is former FSU kicker Roberto Aguayo’s brother, also chipped in with 6 field goals. Kelly found receiver D.K. Metcalf, who battled a Florida State defensive back for the ball, for a 3-yard score in the second. Ole Miss plays the Wofford Terriers at home in Oxford.
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Ole Miss starting cornerback Ken Webster appeared to have a gruesome left knee injury during the open driving. After falling behind by 22 points, getting dominated on both lines of scrimmage and making insane mistakes like Dalvin Cook fumbling away the easiest touchdown he could ever score, it would have been easy for the Seminoles to say it wasn’t their day.
