No. 3 Miami secured a dramatic 43-35 double-overtime victory against its archrival in the latest chapter of florida state vs miami fl. The back-and-forth classic saw both squads repeatedly trade leads before the Hurricanes ultimately prevailed on Saturday night.
The contest featured intense scoring swings in regulation and extra periods. With the win, Miami improves to a 6-0 record overall and 4-0 in the ACC, while Florida State drops to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
How the Game Was Decided in Overtime
Quarterback Darian Mensah delivered the winning score in the second overtime by connecting with Malachi Toney for a 3-yard touchdown. Toney then tossed a 2-point conversion pass to Cooper Barkate. On the final play of the game, Bryce Fitzgerald intercepted an FSU pass in the end zone to seal the victory for the Hurricanes and spark wild celebrations.
Mensah finished the night completing 23 of 34 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Toney contributed significantly with 11 catches for 154 yards, two receiving scores, and the successful two-point conversion throw. Additionally, Javian Mallory contributed 108 rushing yards and two touchdowns, with Mark Fletcher Jr. adding another rushing score.
Florida State's Late-Game Rally
The Seminoles put up a fierce fight behind Ashton Daniels, who recorded 298 passing yards and four touchdowns. Duce Robinson helped fuel the comeback with two crucial late touchdowns, featuring a 75-yard reception that tied the contest at 2:49 left in regulation, followed by a 20-yard score at the start of the first overtime.
FSU suffered a blow earlier when top rusher Ousmane Kromah exited late in the first half due to a left leg injury. Down the stretch, Florida State nearly extended the game when Daniels connected on a fourth-and-21, 36-yard heave, but the play was nullified by a holding penalty. A subsequent deep pass into traffic resulted in the game-ending interception.
Implications for the National Rankings
The chaotic Saturday of college football featured losses by top-ranked teams, as No. 1 Georgia fell to Auburn and No. 2 Notre Dame lost to BYU. According to Sportradar records, it marked the first time the nation's top two teams lost on the same regular-season day since November 17, 2012. These defeats pave a clear path for Miami to claim the No. 1 spot when the new AP Top 25 poll is released on Sunday, marking a milestone the program has not reached since 2002.
For more details on the team's undefeated run, check out this coverage of Miami Football Remains Undefeated After Double-Overtime Win Over Florida State.
Sources: ESPN, Miami Herald, Tomahawk Nation.
