FSU Falls to Miami 43–35 in a Heartbreaker with Questionable Officiating in Overtime

Florida State had opportunities to leave Hard Rock Stadium with a rivalry win that could have changed its season.

Instead, the Seminoles left with yet another painful loss, which fans have become accustomed to.

FSU fell to No. 3 Miami 43–35 in double overtime Saturday night. The Seminoles battled back from a late deficit and pushed the Hurricanes beyond regulation, but failed possessions near the goal line, a costly turnover and missed chances to finish defensive stops helped Miami survive.

Early Chances Left on the Field

Florida State’s opening possession ended with a punt after a quarterback run on third-and-eight failed to move the chains. I felt like the quarterback sneak on third-and-eight was too conservative for a shootout. Miami answered with a touchdown drive that included three third-down conversions, immediately putting the Seminoles behind.

FSU’s next possession brought an opportunity to respond, along with an early scare when Ashton Daniels briefly left the game following a targeting hit.

The Seminoles eventually faced fourth-and-two from Miami’s 3-yard line. After using a timeout, FSU still came away empty for the second time in two weeks.

For the second consecutive week, Florida State had reached the doorstep of the end zone and failed to finish a fourth-down opportunity. Against a team like Miami, those possessions carry too much weight to waste.

Kennedy Helps FSU Respond

Florida State’s defense gave the offense another chance.

Rylan Kennedy generated pressure to help force a Miami three-and-out, then delivered a third-down sack on the Hurricanes’ following possession to produce another quick stop.

Those were important responses after Miami’s opening touchdown drive and the missed fourth-down conversion.

Daniels helped capitalize, extending a possession with a third-and-eight scramble before connecting with Desirrio Riles on a touchdown screen to tie the game at 7–7.

Despite the early failures, Florida State was right back in it.

More Questions Near the Goal Line

Miami regained the lead after Darian Mensah escaped what could have been a substantial loss and turned the play into a big gain. The Hurricanes later finished the possession with a touchdown pass to Malachi Toney.

FSU responded with another promising drive. Third-down completions to Chase Loftin and Jasen Lopez helped move the Seminoles into scoring position.

Then came another failure.

A third-and-four run with Ousmane Kromah left FSU facing fourth down. Another run to Kromah inside the 5-yard line failed to produce the necessary yardage.

Going for the touchdown was confusing after failing twice in the same situation over the past two weeks.

Norvell’s offense had found important completions to reach that point. The finish gave Miami another escape, and FSU was still left with no points.

FSU eventually tied the game before halftime after Miami penalties on a punt helped create favorable field position. Ousmane Kromah went down after a second-down run and was carted off with a leg injury. Daniels finished the possession with a quarterback sneak, sending the teams into the break tied at 14.

Defense Creates an Opening

Florida State continued finding answers after halftime.

A Barker interception ended one Miami possession, and the Seminoles later forced a turnover on downs to create another opportunity.

This time, the offense delivered.

A big completion to Jayvan Boggs helped set up a touchdown screen to Quinton Wisner, putting FSU ahead 21–14.

That play call deserves credit. Florida State got the ball to a playmaker in space with plenty of blockers.

The Seminoles followed with another huge defensive stop, denying Miami on fourth-and-one. They had a chance to take greater control, but the ensuing offensive possession ended with a punt.

A Costly Swing, Then Another Response

Miami eventually drove for the tying touchdown, and Wisner’s fumble on FSU’s next possession gave the Hurricanes another opening.

Florida State still had a chance to get off the field. Instead, Miami converted a third-and-ten and went on to score, turning a seven-point FSU advantage into a seven-point deficit.

But the Seminoles answered.

A 75-yard touchdown pass to Duce Robinson on the next play pulled Florida State even again when the game appeared to be slipping away. The defense then forced a punt, and FSU ultimately took the game to overtime.

Overtime Loss

Daniels found Duce Robinson for a third-down touchdown in the first overtime. Miami answered, then scored a touchdown and converted the two-point attempt in the second overtime. FSU could not match the Hurricanes, ending the upset bid.

There were too many moments Florida State will want back.

Controversial Officiating to End the Game

On the first fourth-down play in the second overtime, Daniels threw up a prayer to Micahi Danzy, and it was caught. Then came the phantom holding penalty, which was the first holding penalty of the whole night and wasn’t even a hold. On the next play, Daniels threw up another heave, this time to Duce Robinson. He appeared to catch it; however, it was ruled an interception on the field. Upon review, it became clear that both players had their hands on the ball. However, the officials ruled that neither player had possession, and the call on the field stood. This was pretty bad officiating to end the game.