Story by
Is this the worst in FSU football season in history? Statistically, it can be. Here's why
- Story by
- Is this the worst in FSU football season in history? Statistically, it can be. Here's why
Florida State football (1-8, 1-7) is headed towards being one of the worst seasons in program history after losing to North Carolina, 35-11 , at Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday.
FSU has been used to winning or at least ending the season with a winning record for over four decades, thanks to the late and great Bobby Bowden.
Advertisement
The standard has been difficult to match.
The Seminoles have had only 15 losing records in its 77-year span.
FSU coach Mike Norvell' s team went from contending for the playoffs to tumbling to a bottom-tier in one year.
While Norvell has brought success to the FSU program in the last two years, earning him an eight-year extension with a 63 million buyout , this will be Norvell's third losing season in his five-year tenure.
More: FSU Coach Norvell clings to confidence, but can he climb out of oblivion? | Jim Henry
Where is FSU's offense ranked this season?
Nov 2, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoes quarterback Brock Glenn (11) prepares to take the snap against the North Carolina Tarheels in the first quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Myers-Imagn Images
With 132 points and 14 touchdowns, FSU is at the bottom in every major offensive category nationally.
Advertisement
The Seminoles are 134th in total offense (264.6 yards per game), only two spots ahead of Kent State and Kennesaw State.
Some say this could be one of the worst offenses ever at FSU. The Seminoles have yet to put together a 300-yard performance and haven't reached over 20 points in eight straight games.
The Seminoles' running game has been a disaster due to injuries, inconsistency and an unstable offensive line, which has eight lineup change s in nine games. The running game average 2.6 yards per carry and ranks 32nd in yards per carry.
The passing attack has been just as woeful with 6.1 yards per attempt (126th), 25.83 third-down percentage (133rd), and 56.25 touchdown red zone percentage (95th).
Advertisement
FSU offensive stats after Week 10
-
Yards per play: 4.45 (130th)
-
Points per game: 14.4 (133rd)
-
Yards per rush: 2.67 (132nd)
-
Yards per pass: 6.1 (126th)
-
Passer rating: 102.48 (131st)
-
Third down percentage: 25.83 (133rd)
-
Red zone percentage: 87.5 (49th)
-
Red zone TD percentage: 56.25 (95th)
-
Drive scoring percentage: 24.2 (128th)
More: UNC's Mack Brown is 0-11 against FSU football. Why is that? Bobby Bowden might play a role
How does this year's FSU's offense rank compare other others in history?
Nov 2, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell looks on from the sideline after the North Carolina Tarheels score a final touchdown in the fourth quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Myers-Imagn Images
While FSU's offense is poor, it is statistically not the worst in program history.
FSU's 264.6 total offense and 14 total touchdowns are ahead of FSU's 0-11 team in 1973, which averaged 260.3 yards per game, had 13 touchdowns, and averaged 8.9 points per game.
The 1-10 FSU team in 1974 averaged 315.6 yards per game, had 17 touchdowns, and 11. 8 points per game.
However, FSU's 2.6 rushing yards per carry is among the worst in program history, beating Willie Taggert's running by 0.2. yards.
Advertisement
Seasonal FSU football stats from teams with losing records.
1973, 0-11 season, Head Coach: Larry Jones
-
Total yards per game: 260.3
-
Total TDs: 13 TDs, 4 rushing, 9 passing
-
Points per game: 8.9
-
Yards per rush: 3.1
-
Yards per pass: 5.2
-
Third down percentage: N/A
1974, 1-10 season, Head Coach: Darrell Mudra
-
Total yards per game: 315.6
-
Total TDs: 17, 8 rushing, 9 passing
-
Points per game: 11.8.
-
Yards per rush: 3.9
-
Yards per pass: 6.4
-
Third down percentage: 34.6 percentage
1975, 3-8 season, Darrell Mudra
-
Total yards per game: 335.3
-
Total TDs: 25, 11 rushing: 14 passing
-
Points per game: 17
-
Yards per rush: 3.5
-
Yards per pass: 7.5
-
Third down percentage: 43.1
1976, 5-6 season, Head coach: Bobby Bowden
-
Total yards: 335.3
-
Total TDs: 25, 14 rushing, 11 passing
-
Points per game: 17
-
Yards per rush: 3.5
-
Yards per pass: 7.5
-
Third down percentage: 43.1
2017, 7-6 season, Head coach: Jimbo Fisher (5-6) Odell Haggins (2-0)
-
Total yards per game: 351.9
-
Total TDs: 39, 18 rushing, 11 passing
-
Points per game: 27.8
-
Yards per rush: 4.4
-
Yards per pass: 7.4
-
Third down percentage: 35 percent
2018, 5-7 season, Head coach: Willie Taggert
-
Total yards per game: 362.1
-
Total TDs: 31, 11 rushing, 20 passing
-
Points per game: 21.9
-
Yards per rush: 2.8
-
Yards per pass: 7.1
-
Third down percentage: 55 percentage
2019, 6-7 season, Head coach: Willie Taggert
-
Total yards per game: 408.3
-
Total TDs: 48, 24 rushing: 24 passing
-
Points per game: 27.9
-
Yards per rush:3.8
-
Yards per pass: 8.1
-
Third down percentage: 36 percentage
2020, 3-6 season, Head coach: Mike Norvell
-
Total yards per game: 396.7
-
Total TDs: 29,10 passing, 19 rushing
-
Points per game: 25.8
-
Yards per rush: 5.1
-
Yards per pass: 6.1
-
Third down percentage: 36 percentage
2021, 5-7 season, Head coach: Mike Norvell
-
Yards per play: 379.2
-
Total TDs: 41, 21 rushing, 20 passing
-
Points per game: 27.6
-
Yards per rush: 4.8
-
Yards per pass: 11.6
-
Third down percentage: 35 percent
More: Miami's Mario Cristobal calls out FSU, UF in 'trajectory of recruiting'; CJ Wiley de-commits
Is this FSU football's season in program history
It is the first time since 1974 that the Seminoles have started the season 1-8. That 1974 team went on to finish the year 1-10. The year before that, FSU went winless at 0-11.
Advertisement
Who has the most losing seasons in FSU football history
Bill Peterson , who coached FSU from 1960 to 1970, leads all coaches in four losing seasons. However, he is 62-42-11 during his tenure. Darrell Mudra was 4-18 with the Seminoles in 1974-75.
Ed Williamson and Larry Jones are the only coaches in FSU history who have winless seasons. If Norvell ends the season with one win, he will be the third head coach to have a one-win season, joining Mudra in 1974 and Don Veller in 1952.
List of FSU coaches with losing records
-
Jack Forsythe: 1904, 2-3
-
Ed Williamson: 1947, 0-5
-
Don Veller: 1952, 1-8-1
-
Perry Moss: 1959, 4-6
-
Bill Peterson:1960, 3-6-1; 1961, 4-5-1; 1963, 4-5-1; 1965, 4-5-1
-
Larry Jones: 1973, 0-11
-
Darrell Mudra: 1974, 1-10; 1975, 3-8
-
Bobby Bowden: 1976, 5-6
-
Jimbo Fisher: 2017, 5-6
-
Willie Taggert: 2018, 5-7; 2019, 6-7
-
Mike Norvell: 2020, 3-6; 2021, 5-7; 2024, 1-8
FSU football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates and start times
-
Saturday, Aug. 24:vs. Georgia Tech * (Aer Lingus College Football Classic) Lost 24-21
-
Monday, Sept. 2:vs. Boston College * | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN ( Fubo ) Lost 28-13
-
Saturday, Sept. 7:Bye
-
Saturday, Sept. 14:vs. Memphis | Noon | ESPN ( Fubo ) Lost 20-12
-
Saturday, Oct. 12:Bye
-
Saturday, Nov. 2:vs. North Carolina * | 3:30 p.m.| ESPN ( Fubo ) Lost 35-11
-
Saturday, Nov. 9:at No. 9 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | NBC ( Fubo , Peacock )
-
Saturday, Nov. 16:Bye
-
Saturday, Nov. 23:vs. Charleston Southern
-
Saturday, Nov. 30:vs. Florida
-
Saturday, Dec. 6:ACC championship game (Charlotte, N.C)
All times Eastern
* = ACC
Advertisement
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: The worst Florida State football season ever? Here's why it could be
