| Rank | Team | 1st Downs | 1st Downs Gained/Game | % of 1st Downs Gained on 1st Down | % of 1st Downs Gained on 2nd Down | % of 1st Downs Gained on 3rd Down | % of 1st Downs Gained on 4th Down |
|---|
| 1 | South Carolina State | 33 | 33.0 | 39.4 | 36.4 | 24.2 | 0.0 |
| 2 | USC | 33 | 33.0 | 36.4 | 33.3 | 27.3 | 3.0 |
| 3 | Northern Colorado | 32 | 32.0 | 34.4 | 34.4 | 28.1 | 3.1 |
| 4 | Morehead State | 31 | 31.0 | 45.2 | 41.9 | 12.9 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Norfolk State | 30 | 30.0 | 23.3 | 53.3 | 23.3 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Grambling | 30 | 30.0 | 43.3 | 30.0 | 23.3 | 3.3 |
| 7 | Presbyterian | 30 | 30.0 | 26.7 | 40.0 | 30.0 | 3.3 |
| 8 | Western Illinois | 30 | 30.0 | 26.7 | 40.0 | 30.0 | 3.3 |
| 9 | UT Rio Grande Valley | 29 | 29.0 | 37.9 | 34.5 | 24.1 | 3.4 |
| 10 | Southern Utah | 29 | 29.0 | 44.8 | 24.1 | 27.6 | 3.4 |
| 11 | Northwestern State | 28 | 28.0 | 42.9 | 32.1 | 21.4 | 3.6 |
| 12 | East Tennessee State | 28 | 28.0 | 46.4 | 32.1 | 17.9 | 3.6 |
| 13 | Elon | 28 | 28.0 | 35.7 | 39.3 | 21.4 | 3.6 |
| 14 | Cal Poly | 28 | 28.0 | 32.1 | 28.6 | 32.1 | 7.1 |
| 15 | South Dakota State | 27 | 27.0 | 44.4 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 0.0 |
| 16 | Youngstown State | 27 | 27.0 | 37.0 | 25.9 | 33.3 | 3.7 |
| 17 | South Dakota Mines | 26 | 26.0 | 23.1 | 34.6 | 42.3 | 0.0 |
| 18 | Prairie View A&M | 26 | 26.0 | 34.6 | 34.6 | 26.9 | 3.8 |
| 19 | Tarleton State | 26 | 26.0 | 19.2 | 53.8 | 26.9 | 0.0 |
| 20 | Campbell | 26 | 26.0 | 34.6 | 30.8 | 23.1 | 11.5 |
| 21 | Alcorn State | 26 | 26.0 | 19.2 | 42.3 | 34.6 | 3.8 |
| 22 | Nicholls | 26 | 26.0 | 26.9 | 34.6 | 26.9 | 11.5 |
| 23 | Eastern Washington | 26 | 26.0 | 34.6 | 42.3 | 23.1 | 0.0 |
| 24 | Illinois State | 26 | 26.0 | 42.3 | 46.2 | 11.5 | 0.0 |
| 25 | Montana State | 25 | 25.0 | 12.0 | 48.0 | 36.0 | 4.0 |
| 26 | Central Arkansas | 25 | 25.0 | 16.0 | 36.0 | 40.0 | 8.0 |
| 27 | South Dakota | 25 | 25.0 | 48.0 | 36.0 | 12.0 | 4.0 |
| 28 | North Dakota | 25 | 25.0 | 32.0 | 24.0 | 40.0 | 4.0 |
| 29 | Wofford | 25 | 25.0 | 44.0 | 32.0 | 20.0 | 4.0 |
| 30 | Western Carolina | 25 | 25.0 | 32.0 | 36.0 | 32.0 | 0.0 |
| 31 | Southern Illinois | 25 | 25.0 | 24.0 | 32.0 | 40.0 | 4.0 |
| 32 | Colgate | 24 | 24.0 | 25.0 | 41.7 | 33.3 | 0.0 |
| 33 | Davidson | 24 | 24.0 | 12.5 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 20.8 |
| 34 | Austin Peay | 24 | 24.0 | 45.8 | 25.0 | 16.7 | 12.5 |
| 35 | Drake | 24 | 24.0 | 37.5 | 33.3 | 16.7 | 12.5 |
| 36 | Hampton | 24 | 24.0 | 37.5 | 25.0 | 33.3 | 4.2 |
| 37 | Furman | 23 | 23.0 | 30.4 | 52.2 | 13.0 | 4.3 |
| 38 | Merrimack | 23 | 23.0 | 30.4 | 43.5 | 21.7 | 4.3 |
| 39 | Tennessee Tech | 23 | 23.0 | 30.4 | 34.8 | 30.4 | 4.3 |
| 40 | The Citadel | 23 | 23.0 | 17.4 | 52.2 | 21.7 | 8.7 |
| 41 | Northern Arizona | 23 | 23.0 | 39.1 | 34.8 | 17.4 | 8.7 |
| 42 | SE Louisiana | 23 | 23.0 | 21.7 | 30.4 | 30.4 | 17.4 |
| 43 | Stanford | 23 | 23.0 | 47.8 | 17.4 | 30.4 | 4.3 |
| 44 | Ohio Dominican | 22 | 22.0 | 18.2 | 36.4 | 36.4 | 9.1 |
| 45 | UC Davis | 22 | 22.0 | 40.9 | 36.4 | 22.7 | 0.0 |
| 46 | UNLV | 22 | 22.0 | 36.4 | 40.9 | 13.6 | 9.1 |
| 47 | Tennessee State | 22 | 22.0 | 18.2 | 22.7 | 54.5 | 4.5 |
| 48 | Villanova | 22 | 22.0 | 45.5 | 22.7 | 31.8 | 0.0 |
| 49 | Incarnate Word | 22 | 22.0 | 36.4 | 40.9 | 18.2 | 4.5 |
| 50 | Gardner-Webb | 22 | 22.0 | 40.9 | 36.4 | 13.6 | 9.1 |
| 51 | Dayton | 22 | 22.0 | 27.3 | 54.5 | 13.6 | 4.5 |
| 52 | Charleston Southern | 21 | 21.0 | 23.8 | 33.3 | 38.1 | 4.8 |
| 53 | Holy Cross | 21 | 21.0 | 38.1 | 47.6 | 9.5 | 4.8 |
| 54 | Howard | 21 | 21.0 | 19.0 | 38.1 | 33.3 | 9.5 |
| 55 | McNeese | 21 | 21.0 | 33.3 | 42.9 | 23.8 | 0.0 |
| 56 | Virginia | 21 | 21.0 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 14.3 | 19.0 |
| 57 | UAlbany | 21 | 21.0 | 23.8 | 47.6 | 23.8 | 4.8 |
| 58 | UVA Wise | 21 | 21.0 | 14.3 | 33.3 | 52.4 | 0.0 |
| 59 | Valparaiso | 21 | 21.0 | 42.9 | 33.3 | 19.0 | 4.8 |
| 60 | North Carolina Central | 21 | 21.0 | 28.6 | 47.6 | 23.8 | 0.0 |
| 61 | Richmond | 21 | 21.0 | 57.1 | 28.6 | 14.3 | 0.0 |
| 62 | Portland State | 20 | 20.0 | 30.0 | 30.0 | 25.0 | 15.0 |
| 63 | Stephen F. Austin | 20 | 20.0 | 35.0 | 35.0 | 25.0 | 5.0 |
| 64 | Weber State | 20 | 20.0 | 55.0 | 25.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 |
| 65 | Texas Southern | 20 | 20.0 | 35.0 | 40.0 | 25.0 | 0.0 |
| 66 | Idaho State | 20 | 20.0 | 35.0 | 45.0 | 15.0 | 5.0 |
| 67 | Jackson State | 20 | 20.0 | 40.0 | 25.0 | 30.0 | 5.0 |
| 68 | Eastern Kentucky | 20 | 20.0 | 35.0 | 30.0 | 25.0 | 10.0 |
| 69 | Eastern Michigan | 19 | 19.0 | 42.1 | 31.6 | 26.3 | 0.0 |
| 70 | Eastern Illinois | 19 | 19.0 | 36.8 | 36.8 | 21.1 | 5.3 |
| 71 | Chattanooga | 19 | 19.0 | 21.1 | 21.1 | 52.6 | 5.3 |
| 72 | Bryant | 19 | 19.0 | 15.8 | 52.6 | 26.3 | 5.3 |
| 73 | Alabama A&M | 19 | 19.0 | 36.8 | 47.4 | 15.8 | 0.0 |
| 74 | Memphis | 19 | 19.0 | 47.4 | 36.8 | 15.8 | 0.0 |
| 75 | Murray State | 19 | 19.0 | 26.3 | 36.8 | 36.8 | 0.0 |
| 76 | New Haven | 19 | 19.0 | 10.5 | 47.4 | 36.8 | 5.3 |
| 77 | San José State | 19 | 19.0 | 47.4 | 26.3 | 26.3 | 0.0 |
| 78 | North Carolina | 19 | 19.0 | 47.4 | 31.6 | 15.8 | 5.3 |
| 79 | Roosevelt | 19 | 19.0 | 26.3 | 42.1 | 21.1 | 10.5 |
| 80 | North Dakota State | 18 | 18.0 | 27.8 | 33.3 | 27.8 | 11.1 |
| 81 | Southeast Missouri State | 18 | 18.0 | 16.7 | 44.4 | 38.9 | 0.0 |
| 82 | TCU | 18 | 18.0 | 27.8 | 27.8 | 38.9 | 5.6 |
| 83 | UT Martin | 18 | 18.0 | 22.2 | 38.9 | 22.2 | 16.7 |
| 84 | Monmouth | 18 | 18.0 | 27.8 | 44.4 | 27.8 | 0.0 |
| 85 | Alabama State | 18 | 18.0 | 61.1 | 22.2 | 11.1 | 5.6 |
| 86 | East Texas A&M | 18 | 18.0 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 11.1 |
| 87 | Fairmont State | 18 | 18.0 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 27.8 | 5.6 |
| 88 | Hawai'i | 17 | 17.0 | 11.8 | 35.3 | 41.2 | 11.8 |
| 89 | Lamar | 17 | 17.0 | 23.5 | 41.2 | 29.4 | 5.9 |
| 90 | Lehigh | 17 | 17.0 | 23.5 | 47.1 | 23.5 | 5.9 |
| 91 | Idaho | 17 | 17.0 | 23.5 | 41.2 | 29.4 | 5.9 |
| 92 | William & Mary | 17 | 17.0 | 17.6 | 17.6 | 64.7 | 0.0 |
| 93 | North Carolina A&T | 17 | 17.0 | 5.9 | 41.2 | 52.9 | 0.0 |
| 94 | Rhode Island | 17 | 17.0 | 47.1 | 23.5 | 29.4 | 0.0 |
| 95 | West Florida | 16 | 16.0 | 25.0 | 31.3 | 37.5 | 6.3 |
| 96 | Towson | 16 | 16.0 | 18.8 | 56.3 | 25.0 | 0.0 |
| 97 | Indiana State | 16 | 16.0 | 18.8 | 37.5 | 43.8 | 0.0 |
| 98 | Maine | 16 | 16.0 | 43.8 | 18.8 | 31.3 | 6.3 |
| 99 | North Alabama | 16 | 16.0 | 25.0 | 31.3 | 43.8 | 0.0 |
| 100 | Abilene Christian | 16 | 16.0 | 25.0 | 37.5 | 31.3 | 6.3 |
| 101 | Central Connecticut | 16 | 16.0 | 18.8 | 62.5 | 18.8 | 0.0 |
| 102 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 15 | 15.0 | 33.3 | 60.0 | 6.7 | 0.0 |
| 103 | Houston Christian | 15 | 15.0 | 20.0 | 26.7 | 53.3 | 0.0 |
| 104 | Florida A&M | 15 | 15.0 | 53.3 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 6.7 |
| 105 | Montana | 15 | 15.0 | 33.3 | 20.0 | 46.7 | 0.0 |
| 106 | Mercer | 15 | 15.0 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 26.7 | 6.7 |
| 107 | Winona State | 15 | 15.0 | 20.0 | 46.7 | 33.3 | 0.0 |
| 108 | St. Thomas (MN) | 15 | 15.0 | 26.7 | 33.3 | 40.0 | 0.0 |
| 109 | Stetson | 15 | 15.0 | 20.0 | 53.3 | 26.7 | 0.0 |
| 110 | Stonehill | 14 | 14.0 | 14.3 | 50.0 | 35.7 | 0.0 |
| 111 | Southern | 14 | 14.0 | 35.7 | 35.7 | 28.6 | 0.0 |
| 112 | Sacramento State | 14 | 14.0 | 35.7 | 35.7 | 21.4 | 7.1 |
| 113 | Robert Morris | 14 | 14.0 | 28.6 | 14.3 | 50.0 | 7.1 |
| 114 | Mercyhurst | 14 | 14.0 | 50.0 | 28.6 | 21.4 | 0.0 |
| 115 | Lindenwood | 14 | 14.0 | 21.4 | 14.3 | 64.3 | 0.0 |
| 116 | Long Island University | 13 | 13.0 | 30.8 | 23.1 | 38.5 | 7.7 |
| 117 | New Hampshire | 13 | 13.0 | 53.8 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 0.0 |
| 118 | Utah Tech | 13 | 13.0 | 23.1 | 38.5 | 38.5 | 0.0 |
| 119 | West Georgia | 12 | 12.0 | 41.7 | 41.7 | 16.7 | 0.0 |
| 120 | Morgan State | 11 | 11.0 | 18.2 | 63.6 | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| 121 | Jacksonville State | 10 | 10.0 | 50.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 10.0 |
| 122 | Samford | 10 | 10.0 | 30.0 | 20.0 | 50.0 | 0.0 |
| 123 | Mississippi Valley State | 9 | 9.0 | 44.4 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 0.0 |
| 124 | NC State | 9 | 9.0 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 44.4 | 0.0 |
| 125 | Fordham | 9 | 9.0 | 55.6 | 11.1 | 22.2 | 11.1 |
| 126 | Bucknell | 9 | 9.0 | 0.0 | 55.6 | 33.3 | 11.1 |
| 127 | Anderson (SC) | 9 | 9.0 | 33.3 | 44.4 | 22.2 | 0.0 |
| 128 | Clark Atlanta | 9 | 9.0 | 22.2 | 55.6 | 11.1 | 11.1 |
| 129 | UT Permian Basin | 8 | 8.0 | 25.0 | 37.5 | 37.5 | 0.0 |
| 130 | VMI | 8 | 8.0 | 37.5 | 25.0 | 37.5 | 0.0 |
| 131 | Glenville State | 7 | 7.0 | 0.0 | 57.1 | 42.9 | 0.0 |
| 132 | Marist | 6 | 6.0 | 16.7 | 16.7 | 66.7 | 0.0 |
| 133 | Wagner | 5 | 5.0 | 20.0 | 40.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 |