Florida State fired on all cylinders in its 34-0 victory against NC State yesterday and the statistics certainly reflect the positives of the outcome.

The Seminoles improved their national rankings in several categories at the conclusion of week nine of the 2011 college football season. Here is a breakdown of the statistical areas and the corresponding national rankings that changed for the better for the 'Noles:

• Passing offense: from 14th (304.29) to 12th (306.38)
• Total offense: from 38th (431.14) to 35th (432.75)
• Rushing defense: from 6th (82.86) to 4th (77.00)
• Pass efficiency defense: from 60th (128.40) to 37th (121.31)
• Total defense: 12th (291.29) to 8th (275.63)
• Scoring defense: 19th (19.29) to 12th (16.88)
• Net punting: 9th (40.95) to 6th (40.96)
• Punt returns: 53rd (8.55) to 50th (9.04)
• Kickoff returns: 27th (24.05) to 25th (24.05)*
• Turnover margin: 115th (-1.14) to 104th (-.75)
• Pass defense: 39th (208.43) to 31st (198.63)
• Passing efficiency: 14th (155.45) to 13th (156.85)
• Sacks: 4th (3.57) to 3rd (3.63)

*FSU didn't return any kicks against NC State but moved up two spots because of other teams.

Jenkins playing well despite lack of sacks

October 28, 2011 

By Corey Clark-NoleSports.com editor

http://nolesports.tallahassee.com/article/20111028/FSU03/110280344/Jenkins-playing-well-despite-lack-sacks?odyssey=tab|

Once nation's disappointment, FSU turning year around

Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

October 27, 2011

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/seminoles/os-florida-state-disappointing-1028-20111027,0,7745498.story

Seminoles need to contain 'Pack's Glennon & Graham

By BRENT KALLESTAD

Associated Press

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/27/2474937/seminoles-need-to-contain-packs.html

Devonta Freeman still getting taught by FSU teammates

October 27, 2011|By Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-10-27/sports/os-florida-state-football-news-1028-20111027_1_fsu-teammates-lonnie-pryor-quick-hits

Seminoles clinch spot in ACC Tournament

October 28, 2011

http://media.www.fsunews.com/article/20111028/FSVIEW0205/111028001/Seminoles-clinch-spot-ACC-Tournament

During his weekly appearance on the ACC Coaches Conference Call this week, Florida State's Jimbo Fisher was asked about his former protege, Christian Ponder.

Here is a transcript of the questions and Fisher's responses about the standout FSU quarterback who made his first career start for the Minnesota Vikings last weekend:

Q. Christian Ponder created a stir with his first start in Minnesota, but can you talk about his mental makeup and did you notice a fearlessness?  

Jimbo Fisher and Christian Ponder

COACH FISHER: No doubt. The injuries he played with -- a couple years ago he played with two broken ribs. Matter of fact, NC State game, two years ago down here, broken them about second drive, played with no pain in the first half, we won a 45-42 game and won the game.  He played tremendous, played the whole year like that. Played with the elbow that was last year; the competitiveness, the toughness, the things it takes to win and gained the respect of your teammates. He's an ultimate competitor, extremely intelligent, prepares very well. He has all of the intangibles to be a very good player, and hopefully he'll continue to play well.

Q. There seemed to be some questions about whether or not he deserved to be drafted as highly as he was. What did you tell teams, the NFL folks?  

COACH FISHER: I thought he deserved to be that high, I really did. His arm strength is much better than people give credit for, great balance body control, can make decisions, process the information, lead, be tough. That's everything you want. The guy can do everything, he really can. And like I said before, and I don't mean it as a knock, one thing you have to remember with him at Florida State, the only drafted player he had ever played with on offense was Rodney Hudson there was never a skill guy around him that was drafted. That's not a knock. You put some first, second round guys around him as a quarterback and the numbers, and the pace he was going on before he got hurt in the eighth or ninth game of his junior year when he got hurt at Clemson, he was on pace for 4,000 yards and that's without a drafted guy around him. So I mean, we had a couple free agents make it, but the guy, he's going to be a very good player hopefully if he continues. He has all of the ability, there's no doubt.

Florida State in lower third of the ACC's Graduation Success Rate

Coley Harvey-Orlando Sentinel

October 26, 2011

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_fsu/2011/10/florida-state-in-lower-third-of-the-accs-graduation-success-rate.html

Seminoles keeping focus, still learning

October 26, 2011

http://www.foxsportsflorida.com/10/26/11/Seminoles-keeping-focus-still-learning/landing_fsu.html?blockID=590074&feedID=3618

FSU Insider: Fisher stresses team character

October 26, 2011

http://www.foxsportssouth.com/10/26/11/FSU-Insider-Fisher-stresses-team-charact/landing_acc.html?blockID=590170&feedID=10214

Florida State Seminoles' seniors guiding team through hard times

By Patrik Nohe

Miami Herald Writer

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/27/2473795/florida-state-seminoles-seniors.html

FSU's Greene likely out for N.C. State game

October 27, 2011

Corey Clark- Nolesports.com

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20111027/FSU03/110270318/FSU-s-Greene-likely-out-N-C-State-game?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Jermaine Thomas hopes recent work fuels FSU run-game surge

By Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

October 26, 2011

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/gators/os-florida-state-jermaine-thomas-1027-20111026,0,3596013.story

FSU's German-Born Werner Quickly Takes to Game

By BOB FERRANTE

LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

October 26, 2011

http://www.theledger.com/article/20111026/NEWS/111029399/1254?p=1&tc=pg

Violent hit vs. Oklahoma doesn't slow FSU receiver Kenny Shaw

By Tom D'Angelo-Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

October 26, 2011

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/seminoles/violent-hit-vs-oklahoma-doesnt-slow-fsu-receiver-1935496.html

Even without Wilson, N.C. State offense still capable

October 27, 2011

Corey Clark- Nolesports.com

http://nolesports.tallahassee.com/article/20111027/FSU03/110270317/Even-without-Wilson-N-C-State-offense-still-capable?odyssey=tab|

The Road Warriors are cruising along. We are getting closer to Charlotte and then our eventual destination of Greensboro where the official team hotel is located.

As of 4 p.m., we have about 160 miles to go so the real question now is: where should we eat? More specifically, what BBQ place should we visit?

The team hotel is located near the Greensboro Airport so anything in the general area would work. So, 'Noles fans, what do you think?

The Road Warriors are getting close to South Carolina. We just stopped at Publix on the outskirts of Gwinnett County and picked up some delicious subs.

We have seen quite a few Seminoles on the road so far and hope to see more as we press on.

Stay tuned for more updates!

The FSU Road Warriors (Twitter hashtag #RoadWarriors) are on the open road once again as we head to Winston-Salem, NC for Florida State's game against Wake Forest.

We rolled out of Tallahassee this morning at 7:15 a.m. following a quick breakfast at the Chick-fil-A on Thomasville Road. We are sticking to the main highways on this trip so that means we are going through southwest Georgia to I-75 and around Atlanta and then to I-85. 

A trip up the Georgia-Florida Parkway a little earlier meant one thing: a stop at Stripling's for some of their famous beef jerky.

We are currently on I-75 headed north. An upcoming pit stop at the Nike Factory Store in Locust Grove is on the agenda. We will then stop for lunch somewhere northeast of Atlanta so if you have any suggestions, let me know.

You can follow along here at the blog or on Twitter at @Seminoles_com or @BrandonMellor.