The No. 3 Miami Hurricanes maintained their perfect season, albeit barely, defeating archrival Florida State 43-35 in a gripping double-overtime matchup. While Miami extended its unbeaten run, the Seminoles’ season-long struggles continued in a contest marked by chaotic finishes and several near upsets across the collegiate football landscape.
Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah delivered a standout performance, throwing for 326 yards and three touchdowns. His final scoring pass, a 3-yard connection with Malachi Toney in the second overtime, ultimately secured the victory. Toney concluded the night with an impressive 154 receiving yards and also contributed a two-point conversion pass to Cooper Barkate. The win was sealed on the game's final play by Miami defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald, who intercepted a pass to stop FSU's last offensive drive.
Dramatic Overtime Finish
Florida State's offense, led by quarterback Ashton Daniels, mounted a formidable challenge. Daniels threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns, keeping the Seminoles competitive throughout the back-and-forth affair. Wide receiver Duce Robinson was instrumental in FSU's late-game efforts, hauling in two crucial touchdown catches. His 75-yard score tied the game with less than three minutes remaining in regulation, forcing overtime, and he opened the first extra period with a 20-yard touchdown reception.
Florida State's Ongoing Challenges
The loss further exacerbates the mounting pressure on Florida State head coach Mike Norvell, whose job security has been a subject of considerable discussion. Under his leadership, the Seminoles have compiled one of the nation's least favorable records over the past three years.
This defeat marks FSU's 14th consecutive loss in games played away from Tallahassee, a streak that commenced with the 2023 Orange Bowl against Georgia. Furthermore, the team's struggles against top-tier opponents on the road persist, as they now hold an 0-13 record in true road games against ranked teams since the 2017 season.
