Francois emerged toward the end of the offseason as Florida State’s starter, following in Jameis Winston’s footsteps by winning the job as a redshirt freshman.
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Ole Miss did have success running an up-tempo offense against Florida State early on, which played a part in building a 28-6 lead in the first half, but the wear and tear on the defense showed in the second half as Florida State looked like the fresher of the two teams. It was the second most by a freshman in Florida State history.
Yet it was Swoopes who won it in the end. In the third quarter, they netted -7 yards and in the fourth, 85.
Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois (12) runs past the MS defense for yardage during the closing moments of the second half of an NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, in Orlando, Fla.
Florida State receiver Travis Rudolph (15) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of MS defensive back Tony Conner during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Sept. 5, 2016.
The Rebels gave up 33 unanswered points over less than two quarters, turning a 28-6 lead late in the second quarter into a 39-28 deficit early in the fourth. Despite some pressure, the Seminoles didn’t sack Kelly the whole first half, with Walker himself only recording a single tackle.
The Rebels rushing attack generated only 68 yards on 25 attempts.
Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly threw for 313 yards and four touchdowns but was intercepted three times. The Rebels eventually fell 45-34. After registering 91 tackles, safetay Derwin James is back to lead the Seminoles football.
1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback with the Seminoles, was spotted on the sidelines all night cheering his alma matter on.
Florida State also got a huge lift from its special teams – which were a huge question mark coming into the season.
The Seminoles took the lead for the first time when Kermit Whitfield scored on a 3-yard rush.
Tennessee, ranked No. 9, needed a missed extra point and a missed 42-yard field goal in regulation by Appalachian State to reach overtime before prevailing 20-13. He was leveled by Ole Miss end Marquise Haynes and appeared dazed as he left the field. The win marked Francois’ first college victory.
Monday’s game “feels like” the 1988 debacle, wrote one.
ESPN’s streaming audience set new all-time highs for a regular season ESPN college football game with an average minute audience of 231,000 viewers and a total of 854,000 unique viewers viewing 59,700,000 minutes overall. “We some dogs. Wide receivers, y’all can not be stopped.the whole game”, Jameis told the FSU players.
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