Deondre Francois, Cam Akers lift FSU to big home win over Wake Forest
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Cam Akers had two touchdown runs, including a 58-yarder, and Deondre Francois threw for a season-high 353 yards as Florida State bounced back from a sloppy start and scored 38 straight points in a 38-17 win over Wake Forest on Saturday.
Akers, who has struggled for much of his sophomore season, had a season-best 98 yards on 13 carries for Florida State (4-3, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference). The Seminoles set season highs for points scored and offensive yards (485).
"It's just a big weight off my shoulders just to break a long one," Akers said. "That's what I'm used to doing. So to be able to come out and break a long one for a touchdown, that's just a big weight off my shoulders."
Francois completed 29 of 40 passes and had two touchdown passes, including a 33-yard scoring toss to Nyqwan Murray on fourth down. Francois had his eighth career 300-yard game in 21 starts, while Murray caught eight passes for 131 yards.
Sam Hartman completed 22 of 46 passes for 227 yards, two TDs and an interception for Wake Forest (3-4, 0-3), which ran 104 plays — the most ever against Florida State. Hartman hooked up with Jack Freudenthal on a 9-yard touchdown pass to put Wake Forest ahead 10-0, but the Demon Deacons didn't score on their next 11 drives until a touchdown drive in the game's final six minutes.
"We're not where we want to be," Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said. "This is not where I thought we'd be, but it is what it is and you have to make the best of it. All of these young kids getting reps are going to start getting better."
Brian Burns and Joshua Kaindoh had two of Florida State's five sacks. Burns has nine sacks on the season.
Florida State, which has one of the nation's top rush defenses, held Wake Forest to 96 yards on 50 carries.
The Seminoles started Derrick Kelly at left tackle, using the seventh different starting offensive line combination in seven games. Florida State's line didn't allow a sack but did give up three hurries.
THE TAKEAWAY
Wake Forest: A letdown after Wake had the Seminoles on the ropes 10-0 in the first quarter. It was another frustrating performance by the Demon Deacons' injury-depleted defense, which had allowed 36.8 points per game coming into Saturday.
Florida State: The Seminoles keep their bowl hopes alive by knocking off Wake Forest for a seventh straight season. Florida State will face four ranked teams in its final five games — Clemson, Notre Dame, NC State and Florida.
UP NEXT
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons will play at Louisville on Saturday.
Florida State: The Seminoles will play host to Clemson on Saturday.
