Florida State rallies past Mississippi 45-34
Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois (12) throws a pass as he is rushed by Mississippi linebacker Alex Ashlock (44) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Sept. 5, 2016.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State offensive lineman Roderick Johnson (77) lifts up wide receiver Kermit Whitfield (8) after Whitfield scored a touchdown against Mississippi during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (91) celebrates after recovering a Mississippi fumble during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State wide receiver Kermit Whitfield (8) runs past Mississippi defensive back Jaylon Jones on a 3-yard touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida State defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, center, grabs a Mississippi fumble during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State wide receiver Travis Rudolph, right, celebrates his touchdown against Mississippi with wide receiver Nyqwan Murray during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Sept. 5, 2016.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State receiver Travis Rudolph (15) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Mississippi defensive back Tony Conner during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Sept. 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State running back Dalvin Cook, front, fumbles the ball short of the goal line after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Sept. 5, 2016. The ball went out of bounds and Florida State kept possession. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Mississippi wide receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow catches a pass in front of Florida State defensive back Marcus Lewis during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Mississippi tight end Evan Engram runs in the end zone after a 21-yard a touchdown reception against Florida State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Mississippi tight end Evan Engram, right, points upward after scoring a touchdown on a 21-yard reception against Florida State, as wide receiver DaMarkus Lodge (5) arrives to celebrate during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Mississippi wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (14) celebrates his 3-yard touchdown reception against Florida State with tight end Evan Engram (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Mississippi wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, right, catches a pass over Florida State defensive back Tarvarus McFadden for a 3-yard touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Mississippi tight end Evan Engram runs in the end zone on a 21-yard pass reception for a touchdown against Florida State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
ORLANDO, Fla. — Redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois completed 33 of 52 passes for 419 yards and 2 touchdowns while running for another 59 yards in leading No. 4 Florida State to a 45-34 win over No. 11 Mississippi on Monday night.
Francois, the fourth freshman to start the season at quarterback in FSU history, led the largest comeback in Seminoles history — 22 points — after a shaky start in the classic SEC-ACC showdown at Camping World Stadium.
Francois and the Seminoles, on the verge of becoming the third top-five team to lose in the opening week, scored 33 consecutive points during a stretch from late in the second quarter until early in the fourth to overcome a 28-6 deficit late in the second quarter.
With Ole Miss daring Francois to pass by stacking the run to stop Heisman Trophy hopeful Dalvin Cook, the freshman showed poise by making critical throws with his arm and also picking up big yards with his legs.
Ricky Aguayo, another freshman, converting an FSU-record 6 field goals on six attempts — breaking a mark shared by his brother Roberto.
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.
The Seminoles forced Kelly into back-to-back turnovers early in the third quarter on an interception and a fumble on a hit by Walker.
Both turnovers resulted in FSU touchdowns as the Seminoles took a 29-28 lead and never looked back while scoring on nine straight possessions between late in the first half and into the fourth quarter.
The take-away:
Ole Miss: The Rebels’ up-tempo offense is potent but big mistakes by Kelly under pressure took away any momentum. Kelly had 3 touchdown passes in fourth quarter but his turnovers (4) brought the offense to a standstill.
Florida State: Francois is definitely the real deal. His arm talent is impressive and his willingness to stay in the pocket to take the big hit on release was uncanny for a first time starter.
Running back Dalvin Cook found little running room early but he contributed big as a receiver with a career-high 7 catches for 101 yards while rushing for 91 yards on 23 carries for the night.
UP NEXT
Ole Miss: The Rebels return home to host Wofford of the FCS on Saturday. Terriers (1-0) are coming off a 21-7 win over Tennessee Tech.
Florida State: The Seminoles will host Charleston Southern of the FCS on Saturday. The Buccaneers (1-1) are coming off a 57-7 win over Kentucky State.
