Florida State cruises to 52-8 win in home opener over Charleston Southern

BOX SCORE: Florida State 52, Charleston Southern 8 | Game Photo Gallery

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No. 3 Florida State went up early by scoring on its first four drives and coasted to a 52-8 win over Charleston Southern on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The Seminoles (2-0) made quick work of the Buccaneers (1-2), who did not even muster a touchdown until the second quarter. By then, the Seminoles already held a commanding 35-point lead.

FSU went up 7-0 when redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Travis Rudolph with 9:26 left in the first quarter.

The first of two Dalvin Cook touchdown runs was sandwiched between another Francois to Rudolph connection. The second one was for 21 yards and it gave FSU a 21-0 edge with 3:17 left. Francois threw a third touchdown pass in the third quarter and finished the afternoon 25 for 32 with 262 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Senior receiver Bobo Wilson also made a bit of history when he scored on a 89-yard punt return for a 28-0 lead with 22 seconds remaining in the first quarter. It was the first time a FSU player scored on a punt return since Tyler Hunter in 2012 against Duke.

The Seminoles took a 35-6 lead into halftime and increased their advantage to 42-6 when Cook broke away for a 37-yard touchdown run. Cook finished with 11 carries for 83 yards and two touchdowns.

FSU's big day might have come at some cost. Star sophomore defensive back Derwin James was limping off the field after delivering a hit about midway through the third quarter.

James was taken to the trainer's tent on the sideline before he was carted off to the locker room. He was diagnosed with a left knee injury and did not return.

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