’Noles looking for home win

TALLAHASSEE — Much is on the line for Florida State when it takes on Northern Illinois at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The Seminoles will enter a near monthlong stretch of away games, next returning home October 20 to host Wake Forest.

FSU (1-2) is hanging onto a 41 consecutive winning seasons streak and 36 straight bowl appearances. NIU (1-2) is hoping to disrupt the Seminoles run during a rematch of the 2013 Orange Bowl — the sole previous meeting between the teams. FSU rolled to a 31-10 win over the Huskies.

The rematch kicks off at 3:30 p.m. today and will air on ESPNU.

“[This week we] had some really good concentration, good focus in practice,” Taggart said. “Felt like we got better as a football team. Looking forward to our game Saturday against Northern Illinois here at home. Big-time opportunity for us. I know our guys are ready to go.”

Florida State’s offensive line will face a major challenge against NIU defensive end Sutton Smith, a 2017 consensus All-American. The 6-foot, 225-pound pass rusher ranks sixth nationally in tackles for a loss and was named Mid-Atlantic Conference West Defensive Player of the Week after totaling eight tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks against Utah.

“Sutton Smith, not only is he a really good athlete, but he also is a guy that plays with incredible effort,” FSU offensive coordinator Walt Bell said.

Smith also shines on special teams, blocking a punt against Central Michigan.

NIU’s special teams unit has mastered the art of blocking kicks. The Huskies are halfway to last season’s high of six blocked kicks — one blocked punt against Iowa and Central Michigan and one blocked field goal against Utah.