TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State lined up time and time again on Saturday afternoon against Northern Illinois trying to prove it could run the ball.
Early indications were that FSU would be capable of finding some level of success rushing it. In the opening quarter, which included a pair of long touchdown drives for the FSU offense, they had 17 rushes for 64 yards. That included a seven-yard touchdown run for Cam Akers.
But that level of respectability on the ground didn't persist as the game wore on, despite the hot Florida sun beating down on Northern Illinois and FSU dominating time-of-possession (37:27 to 22:33).
Over the final three quarters, FSU faltered on the ground time and time again. They would rush it 40 times over the final three quarters for just 57 yards. Those numbers were hurt by a bad snap, which counted for a -20-yard team rush. Francois was also sacked twice over the final three quarters, after staying clean in the opening 15 minutes. But even adjusting those numbers, FSU couldn't accomplish what it was clear they set out to do against the Huskies coming out of the locker room - imposing their will and finding success in the ground game.
On the afternoon, FSU had 57 total rushing attempts for 121 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The longest runs of the day were a 16-yard scamper by Jacques Patrick and 11-yard scoot by Akers. Explosive running plays were tough to come by. Those were FSU's only runs, in 57 attempts, that went for 10 or more yards.
They averaged 2.1 yards per rush and a sack-adjusted 2.5 yards per rush.
NIU's rushing defense is respectable. It entered the day allowing just 147 yards per game to opponents, which ranked 66th in the nation. But the bigger concern is that FSU came out with a concerted effort of trying to get the ground game going and they simply couldn't.
That continues an alarming trend for the Seminoles.
The results are incriminating on the likelihood that the ground game ever gets going for the Seminoles this season. An offensive line that struggles to mount much of a push at the point-of-attack and poor blocking on the perimeter are issues that have persisted. A quarterback who is uncomfortable with the running elements of the offensive system doesn't help the cause either.
On the season, FSU has 143 rushing attempts for 411 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. That is an average of 2.87 yards per rush. Those numbers do include sacks, which have been aplenty through four games and more.
The running backs numbers combined on the season are 108 rushes for 456 yards and two touchdowns. They are averaging 4.22 yards per carry.
The best single game production was Akers rushing for 82 yards against Virginia Tech in the season-opener. A productive day until you remember that he had an 85-yard run in that game.
FSU's best production as a team came against FCS-opponent Samford, when the 'Noles had 134 rushing yards on 35 attempts.
Throughout multiple coaching stops, Taggart has leaned on an offensive identity that starts with running the ball. At FSU, in 2018, that doesn't appear to be an option.
Again, it appears that FSU is going back to the drawing board with regards to how they manage their offense this season.
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