MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Third-ranked Miami survived an upset bid from rival Florida State on Saturday night, winning a 43-35 double-overtime thriller at Hard Rock Stadium that ended amid controversy on consecutive fourth-down calls.
With top-ranked Georgia and No. 2 Notre Dame both losing earlier in the day, the Hurricanes positioned themselves to potentially ascend to the top spot in the AP Top 25 poll. Miami improved to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, earning its third straight victory over the Seminoles.
Wild Fourth Quarter and Overtime Exchanges
Florida State entered the matchup as a three-touchdown underdog following a lopsided defeat at Louisville, but head coach Mike Norvell’s squad controlled stretches of the second half and led 21-14. Miami answered by taking a 28-21 lead late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Darian Mensah orchestrated a comeback. Mensah finished with 326 passing yards and three touchdowns, NBC Sports reported.
On the very next play from scrimmage, Seminoles quarterback Ashton Daniels found wideout Duce Robinson on a 75-yard touchdown strike to knot the score with 2:49 remaining in regulation. Daniels struck Robinson again in the first overtime for a 20-yard touchdown to temporarily put Florida State ahead 35-28.
Miami countered immediately behind freshman tailback Javian Mallory, who scored on a 25-yard run. Mallory paced the Hurricanes’ ground attack with 108 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. In the second overtime, Miami took the lead on a three-yard touchdown reception by Malachi Toney, followed by Toney completing a two-point conversion pass to Cooper Barkate. Toney tallied 11 receptions for 154 yards and two scores, according to NBC Sports.
Controversial Finish in Second Overtime
Facing fourth-and-21 on the ensuing possession, Daniels appeared to deliver a 36-yard touchdown strike to Micahi Danzy, but the score was negated by a holding penalty on offensive lineman Xavier Chaplin. Pushed back to fourth-and-31 from the Miami 46-yard line, Daniels launched a desperation pass into the end zone toward Robinson.
Hurricanes safety Bryce Fitzgerald battled Robinson for the ball in the end zone and came away with an interception. Replay officials reviewed the contested catch and upheld the ruling, sealing the win for Miami.
“Since the start of football, if it’s a tie, it goes to the receiver. I guess they had a different angle,” Norvell told reporters after the game, voicing disagreement with the late officiating calls.
Daniels, who went 15 of 28 for 298 yards, four touchdowns and one rushing score, also expressed disappointment. Daniels said, “I thought it was a touchdown, but we’re not the ones out there calling the shots,” according to NBC Sports.
Key Injuries and Discipline Issues
The Hurricanes overcame severe self-inflicted mistakes throughout the contest. Defensive back Zechariah Poyser was ejected in the opening quarter for targeting following a late hit on Daniels, Sports Illustrated reported. Miami totaled six penalties for 68 yards in the first half alone, enabling Florida State to stay within reach.
For the Seminoles, a significant setback occurred late in the second quarter when running back Kromah suffered a left leg injury. He was placed in an air cast and carted off the field after rushing for 44 yards on 14 attempts, FSU Wire reported.
Despite giving up 583 total yards, Florida State mounted a resilient effort after intense public scrutiny surrounding Norvell’s program. The Seminoles fell to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in ACC play. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal downplayed the prospect of earning a No. 1 ranking, telling reporters that early-season rankings remain “irrelevant” compared to weekly preparation as both teams now turn to the remainder of their conference schedules.
