Florida State picked up a much-needed win against Northern Illinois on Saturday.

The Seminoles (2-2) defeated the Huskies (1-3) 37-19 with the most points they've scored against any opponent this season.

Coming into the game, FSU had scored just 10 points against its two FBS opponents, but two scoring drives to start the game paved the way for an offensive outburst.

But how much did the Seminoles' performance help them in the national statistics?


Points per game vs. FBS opponents: 15.7 (118)

Yards per play vs. FBS opponents: 4.91 (104)

Yards per rush vs. FBS opponents: 2.56 (126)

Yards per pass attempt vs. FBS opponents: 7.3 (64)

First downs per game vs. FBS opponents: 15.3 (123)

Third down conversion percentage vs. FBS opponents: 31.9 (106)

Redzone conversion percentage vs. FBS opponents: 60 (126)

Redzone touchdown percentage vs. FBS opponents: 40 (119)

Sacks allowed per game vs. FBS opponents: 3.67 (117)

Plays gaining 10-plus yards vs. FBS opponents: 38 (79)

Time of possession vs. FBS opponents: 28:54 (82)

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Analysis: FSU's offensive numbers saw a significant rise after putting up 37 points against a very stout NIU defense. 

The Seminoles' are still among the worst teams in the country when it comes to running the football, but the passing game continues to improve. 

The offensive line did a much better job of keeping Francois upright against the Huskies and that led to big plays, long drives, and points.

Statistically, NIU was the best defense FSU had faced so far so getting production against that defense is definitely a positive sign that things are heading in the right direction even though FSU is still at the bottom of nearly every major offensive category.


Points per game allowed vs. FBS opponents: 24.3 (49)

Yards per play allowed vs. FBS opponents: 4.56 (13)

Yards per rush allowed vs. FBS opponents: 2.91 (11)

Yards per pass attempt allowed vs. FBS opponents: 6.5 (37)

First downs per game allowed vs. FBS opponents: 17.7 (31)

Third down conversion percentage allowed vs. FBS opponents: 31.9 (26)

Redzone conversion percentage allowed vs. FBS opponents: 71.4 (18)

Redzone touchdown percentage allowed vs. FBS opponents: 42.9 (18)

Sacks per game vs. FBS opponents: 3.33 (14)

Plays gaining 10-plus yards allowed vs. FBS opponents: 36 (38)

More: Florida State shows glimpses of what offense can be|Wayne McGahee

More: Three takeaways from Florida State's win over Northern Illinois

More: Notebook: Balanced effort from Florida State wideouts leads passing attack

Analysis: The FSU defense played very well outside of a couple plays and shut a bad NIU offense down. 

The Huskies scored 13 points off of turnovers inside FSU's 30 and hit one big play that resulted in a 66-yard touchdown pass.

The Seminoles are in the Top-25 of five of the above categories and aren't outside the Top-50 of any of them.

The FSU defense has been above average so far this season, but has been put into bad positions by the FSU offense continuously, which have led to a lot of the points allowed by the Seminoles.

Special Teams

Field goal percentage: 57.1 (96)

Yards per punt: 41.56 (63)

Yards per punt return: 7 (85)

Yards per kickoff return: 21.36 (60)

Analysis: FSU kicker Ricky Aguayo had a stand out performance making three field goals of 40 yards or longer, including a 50-yard field goal at the end of the first half. 

It was a really nice bounce back performance for the junior, who entered the game having misses three of his first four attempts this season.

Punter Logan Tyler continues to punt well for the Seminoles even though the overall average isn't great. He's averaging 43.15 yards per punt when the blocked punt is removed.


Turnover margin vs. FBS opponents: -10 (130)

Penalties per game: 9 (119)

Analysis: FSU lost four turnovers against NIU and didn't force a single one. 

The Seminoles have yet to force a turnover against an FBS opponent this year and are averaging 3.33 turnovers per game.

That's dead last in college football it's been just as bad as it has looked.

FSU did a better job in the first half against NIU committing just one penalty, but the flood gates opened in the second half and the Seminoles' new found discipline went out the window.

The Seminoles are still one of the most heavily penalized teams in college football.