Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois (12) runs past the Mississippi 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 won 45-34. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Deondre Francois was a little concerned after his first couple of drives Monday night.
Things weren't going exactly as Florida State's redshirt freshman quarterback had hoped. Some critical passes floated high, some fell short, and the fourth-ranked Seminoles trailed No. 11 Mississippi by 22 points before the end of the first quarter.
Then it all came together in the second quarter. Francois stood in the pocket and delivered a 16-yard touchdown pass to Travis Rudolph, the first of 33 consecutive points for the Seminoles in a 45-34 season-opening win over Ole Miss - the largest comeback victory in school history.
"Things weren't going right, but I couldn't panic because my team needed me behind the wheel," said Francois, just the fourth freshman to start the season as the Seminoles' quarterback.
"So I just kept chopping. We were down 28-6, but I couldn't let them see me down, I had to portray the image that we were not about to lose this game."
Francois made plays with both his arm and legs while playing in front of his home crowd in Orlando. He completed 33 of 52 passes for 419 yards and two touchdowns, and also rushed for 59 yards.
He led the Seminoles on four touchdown drives and positioned freshman kicker Ricky Aguayo to convert a school-record six field goals while FSU scored on nine consecutive possessions between the second and fourth quarters.
"He's a kid who loves his team," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said of Francois. "His teammates believe in him, and he's a fighter, and he's a competitor, which I'm very proud of."
Francois outplayed his much more experienced counterpart, Ole Miss senior Chad Kelly, who threw for 313 yards and four touchdowns but also had three interceptions and a fumble.
Francois didn't commit a turnover and played with poise that earned him his teammates' confidence.
"He just wants to make everything perfect, he wants to perfect his craft," said FSU running back Dalvin Cook. "The confidence he has coming into the huddle, you have no choice but to go out and execute for him because he is going to lay it on the line for you."
THE TAKEAWAY
Ole Miss: The Rebels' up-tempo offense is potent, but big mistakes by Kelly under pressure took away any momentum. Kelly had three touchdown passes in the first half, but his turnovers (four) brought the offense to a standstill.
Florida State: Francois looks like the real deal. His arm is impressive and his willingness to stay in the pocket was bold for a first-time starter. Cook found little running room early, but he contributed big as a receiver with a career-high seven catches for 101 yards. He also rushed for 91 yards on 23 carries.
KEY NUMBERS
Ole Miss: The Rebels gave 13 points off turnovers, fueled by Kelly's four giveaways.
Florida State: The Seminoles won the time of possession battle 42:39 to 17:21. ... FSU will have to clean up some sloppiness after committing 15 penalties for 127 yards. ... The Seminoles converted 9 of 18 third downs. ... Among the kickers that Aguayo passed with his team-record six field goals? His brother Roberto, a second-round pick by Tampa Bay this year.
INJURY REPORT
Ole Miss cornerback Ken Webster suffered a knee injury on the Rebels' fourth defensive play when he went up to defend a pass to receiver Kermit Whitfield. Webster came down awkwardly and had to be carted off the field. His injury hurt the secondary because it didn't have a defensive back to leave out on an island in coverage.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Ole Miss: The Rebels should drop some in the polls, but they may not fall far after losing in what was essentially Florida State's backyard. For a while, Ole Miss looked destined for a jump into the top 10, but things unraveled in the second half.
Florida State: The Seminoles nearly became the third team in the top five to tumble, but instead they rallied for a huge neutral-site win. With No. 3 Oklahoma losing, FSU should move up to at least No. 3 in the next AP Top 25 poll.
LAST WORD
"Jimbo (Fisher) and I were talking before the game, there was going to be a good football team that walked out of here tonight not feeling well, and it's us," Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said. "We did not deserve to win the game the way we played the second half."
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.
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The AP's college football page: http://collegefootball.ap.org
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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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Mississippi head coach Hugh Freeze, right, leaves the field with players after losing to Florida State 45-34 in an NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Florida State tight end Ryan Izzo (81) celebrates after catching a pass in the end zone for a touchdown in front of Mississippi linebacker Temario Strong, right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Sept. 5, 2016. Florida State won 45-34. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher, left, is congratulated by Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and former Florida State, quarterback Jameis Winston after an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016. Florida State won 45-34. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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