FSU Survives Huge Samford Scare, 36-26

It wasn’t pretty or easy, but Florida State has its first win under head coach Willie Taggart.

Deondre Francois’ 5-yard touchdown pass to Tre’ McKitty with 4:03 to play in the game gave FSU (1-1) its first lead of the night in a 36-26 victory at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday. Francois and wide receiver Nyqwan Murray hooked up for the 2-point conversion to make it 29-26.

Samford (1-1) would reach FSU territory on the ensuing drive, but cornerback Levonta Taylor’s 63-yard interception return of a Devlin Hodges pass for a touchdown was the knockout punch as the Seminoles avoided a second straight 0-2 start. Hodges attempted 60 passes for the Bulldogs and finished with 475 yards through the air and two touchdowns, but was intercepted four times. Kyle Meyers added two picks and safety A.J. Westbrook came down with one.

Kelvin McKnight caught both of Hodges’ two touchdown pass, including a 54-yard reception on the first play from scrimmage for Samford. McKnight caught 14 passes for 215 yards. The Bulldogs led by as many as 13 in the contest, but turned the ball over five times.

For FSU, Francois passed for 320 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Tamorrion Terry caught the first two for the Seminoles.

FSU will hit the road for the first time next weekend to take on Syracuse. The Bulldogs will host Mercer.

We’ll have postgame reaction shortly.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson