Deak Campbell Stadium
Northern Illinois and Florida State have only met once on the gridiron, but it was certainly a high-profile game. The Huskies were led by Heisman hopeful Jordan Lynch back in 2012, and reeled off 12 straight wins after getting nipped 18-17 b Iowa in the opener.
With a 44-37 double-overtime win ove No. 17 Kent State in the MAC title game, NIU landed an Orange Bowl (BCS) berth against No. 12 Florida State.
That Seminole team was led by quarterback E.J. Manuel, who fared well in a 31-10 FSU victory. Lynch? Not so much
Lynch completed 15 of 41 passes with One TD and one interception. He was also held to 44 yards rushing on 23 attempts. Nonetheless, NIU trailed just 17-10 until a pair of Seminole touchdowns in the final period.
As Northern Illinois and Florida State meet for the second time this week, their focus is not on bowls, but on a win.
Each program is 1-2 through three weeks. Evening the record could be a step toward “righting the ship.”
FSU has been particularly unimpressive. The Seminoles failed to score a touchdown in their opener, losing at home to No. 20 Virginia Tech 24-3.
Samford flirted with an upset before FSU pulled out a 36-26 victory in the fourth quarter.
There was no coming back last week, however, as Syracuse dominated the visiting Seminoles at times and sent FSU home with a 30-7 loss.
Although Clemson was a relatively easy preseason pick for the ACC Atlantic Division top spot, Florida State was next in line. To get there, the Seminoles will need to turn some things around. Offense would be a good start. However, FSU will be facing a Husky team that entered 2018 with a highly regarded defense.
That defense came in handy last week as NIU and Central Michigan took an early dip in the MAC-play pool. Up 21-3 midway through the fourth quarter, the Huskies eventually held off CMU’s rally for a 24-16 victory.
Like Florida State, however, Northern Illinois could use some offensive improvement. Northern got just 13 points from its offense over the first two games -- losses at Iowa (33-7) and at home to Utah (17-6).
NORTHERN ILLINOIS (1-2, 1-0 MAC)
➤➤ The Huskies were a preseason media and coaches poll pick to win the MAC West and overall MAC title.
➤➤ After blocking six kicks a year ago (four punts, two FG), NIU has already recorded two blocked punts and one blocked field goal this season. NIU DE Sutton Smith, a 2017 Consensus All-American, registered his first blocked punt last week against CMU.
➤➤ Down by eight points, the Chippewas reached NIU’s 16-yard line with their final drive. Vinny Labus then picked off a Central pass to cement the Huskies victory.
➤➤ NIU is 11th of 12 MAC teams in scoring offense (12.3 ppg). However, it is second in scoring defense (22.0 ppg).
The Huskies are last in total offense (241 ypg).
➤➤ Sophomore quarterback Marcus Childers hs completed 76 of 325 passes (56.6%) for 325 yards, with four touchdowns and two interceptions.
➤➤ Tre Harbison and Jordan Nettles each have 32 carries. The former has 227 yars (7.1 ypc), while Nettles totals 130 yards (4.1 ypc).
➤➤ The Huskies receiving leaders are D.J. Brown (13 catches, 130 yards, 1 TD) and Jauan Wesley (14 catches, 124 yards, 1 TD
➤➤ Junior quarterback Deondre Francois
Has completed 71 of 117 pass attempts (60.7%), yielding 731 yards with three touchdowns. However, he has been intercepted four times and sacked 10 times.
➤➤ Sophomore Cam Akers has logged 38 trips for a total of 210 yards (5.5 ypc). He also has caught nine balls totaling 46 yards. Akers has yet to score, however -- land or air.
Senior Jacques Patrick (6-3, 234) is a big back with 24 carries for 97 yards (4.0 ypc). Both FSU rushing scores were by the quarterback - Francois.
➤➤ Nyqwan Murray (14/146) and Keith Gavis (11/144) have combined for 25 receptions and 290 yards.
Freshman Tamorrion Terry owns two of three Seminole TD receptions.
➤➤ Florida State is 10th of 14 ACC teams in total offense (1,021 yards, 13th in rushing (290 yards) and fifth n passing yards (731).