FSU Starts Hot, Defeats Northern Illinois, 37-19

Florida State scored on its first two drives and that was enough as the Seminoles defeated Northern Illinois, 37-19, at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday.

FSU quarterback Deondre Francois passed for 352 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. Ricky Aguayo made good on three field goals. Cam Akers rushed for 64 and a touchdown in the win for the Seminoles (2-2).

Northern Illinois quarterback Marcus Childers finished with 20-for-41 passing for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Childers also rushed for a score in the loss.

FSU turned the ball over four times in the victory. The big blow for Northern Illinois (1-3) came early in the fourth quarter after Jauan Wesley was ruled out of bounds on an apparent touchdown that could have cut the lead to three.

Andrew Gantz missed a 33-yard field goal on the next play and Francois found Tamorrion Terry for a 78-yard touchdown on the second play of the ensuing FSU drive. Jacques Patrick was also on the receiving end of a Francois touchdown pass. Amir Rasul capped the scoring with his first career touchdown with 12 seconds left.

FSU will look to get over .500 for the first time this season next week as it visits Louisville. Northern Illinois will travel to face Eastern Michigan.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson