Per Chase Goodbread of NFL.com, Florida State’s second-half comeback of 33 points with 26 scored in the third quarter was the biggest in the school’s history.
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While Kelly would fade down the stretch, Seminoles redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois gained confidence as Florida State battled back.
After defeating Ole Miss 45-34 on Monday night, there should be no question about who the starting quarterback for Florida State is for the rest of the season.
Evan Engram was targeted three times on Ole Miss’ opening drive Monday night. The offensive line and (especially) the defensive line look like they’re going to be fine, even without (respectively) Laremy Tunsil and Robert Nkemdiche.
Rebels followed that up with Chad Kelly’s 20-yard dart to wide receiver Van Jefferson cutting the Seminole lead to 39-34.
During halftime of Monday’s game, with Florida State down 28-13, Winston, who was on the sidelines for the game, delivered a rant for the ages.
The Rebels allowed a touchdown pass by FSU QB Deondre Francois with 28 seconds left in the half, and the game deteriorated from there.
Rebels senior quarterback Chad Kelly was outstanding in the first half, completing 14-23 of his passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns.
Then it all came together in the second quarter. The Seminoles started the season as the 4th best team in the nation but may have left as the 2nd, due to their comeback win against the 11th ranked Ole Miss team.
After a slow start, Francois got Florida State’s offense on a roll.
It was one of the most thrilling – if not, weird – games of opening weekend of the 2016 college football season.
OUR PICK: Florida State is led by one of the finest backs in the country in Dalvin Cook, who is a legitimate Heisman candidate if he can stay healthy.
“I love those big-time games and big-time throws that you’ve got to make”, Kelly said (via The Clarion-Ledger).
Ricky Aguayo, another freshman, converting an FSU-record six field goals on six attempts breaking a mark shared by his brother Roberto.
And with a renewed confidence after a few stops, the defensive backs in the second half held their coverage long enough to allow Walker that extra split second to reach the Ole Miss backfield.
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In a video that was captured by Showtime Sports, Winston was shown lecturing the Florida State players and urging them to “wake up”.
