Miami Survives Florida State In Wild Double-Overtime Rivalry Thriller

Surviving two erased Hail Mary touchdowns in double overtime, No. 3 Miami held off Florida State 43-35 to stay unbeaten.

ByKerooja

No. 3 Miami escaped Tallahassee with an unforgettable 43-35 double-overtime victory over archrival Florida State on Saturday night, October 17, 2026, at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Hurricanes preserved their perfect 6-0 record after surviving consecutive end-zone prayers from Florida State on the final possession of the second extra period. A controversial holding penalty wiped out an apparent Seminoles touchdown before an interception on fourth-and-31 stood up after a lengthy video review. The dramatic finish secured Miami’s third consecutive victory in the rivalry and put the program on track for the top spot in the national rankings.

Back-To-Back Hail Mary Drama In Double Overtime

The climax of the contest delivered unprecedented drama after Miami took an eight-point lead on their second-overtime possession. Facing fourth-and-21, Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels scrambled and launched a desperate heave that receiver Micahi Danzy caught in the back of the end zone. However, an offensive holding penalty against tackle Xavier Chaplin nullified the scoring play and backed the Seminoles up to fourth-and-31. Undeterred, Daniels rolled right and uncorked another jump ball into a crowd of bodies as time expired.

Florida State wide receiver Duce Robinson leaped alongside multiple Miami defensive backs, with the football tumbling into a pile of players on the turf. Game officials immediately ruled the play an interception for Miami, triggering an exhaustive official review from the replay booth. Replay officials determined there was insufficient evidence to overturn the call on the field, confirming Miami’s victory. Florida State head coach Mike Norvell expressed deep frustration afterward, noting that tie balls traditionally favor the offensive receiver.

Offensive Firepower In Back-And-Forth Battle

Before the frantic finish, both offenses traded punches in a back-and-forth contest featuring five lead changes. Miami quarterback Darian Mensah spearheaded the Hurricanes’ aerial attack, throwing for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Mensah displayed remarkable poise against heavy blitz packages, connecting on timely intermediate routes to extend scoring drives. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and receiver Samuel Mbake provided crucial support, helping Miami answer every fourth-quarter surge from the Seminoles.

Florida State displayed tremendous fight despite suffering critical setbacks early in the contest. The Seminoles lost star running back Ousmane Kromah to a left leg injury late in the second quarter, placing the offensive burden squarely on Daniels. Daniels rose to the occasion, completing 15 of 28 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns while adding key scrambles. Robinson served as his primary target downfield, hauling in five receptions for 113 yards and two scores against Miami’s secondary.

Missed Opportunities Haunt Florida State

Despite their resilience, missed opportunities inside the red zone proved fatal for Florida State. The Seminoles failed on two separate fourth-down conversions inside Miami’s five-yard line earlier in regulation rather than attempting short field goals. Those empty possessions loomed large as the game stretched into extra periods and required perfection on every snap. Miami’s defense stiffened when backed against their own goal line, generating essential stops that kept the game within reach.

With the hard-fought victory, Miami improved to 6-0 and positioned itself for a potential leap to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll. Head coach Mario Cristobal praised his team’s mental toughness, highlighting how the Hurricanes responded to intense road adversity. Miami now returns home to prepare for an ACC matchup against Pittsburgh at Hard Rock Stadium. For Florida State, the heartbreaking defeat dropped them to 3-4, sending the Seminoles into a bye week before hosting Clemson on Halloween.

The 2026 edition of this storied rivalry will be remembered as an instant classic defined by razor-thin margins and chaotic officiating reviews. Miami showed championship resolve by making the decisive stop when everything hung in the balance. As the college football season enters its second half, the Hurricanes look like a legitimate national title contender. Florida State proved its competitive pride, but Miami walks away with the victory and complete control of the conference race.

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