In a thrilling matchup at Doak Campbell Stadium, No. 3 Miami showcased their prowess against No. 18 Florida State, securing a 28-22 victory and keeping their unbeaten record intact. Miami sprinted to a commanding 25-point lead, demonstrating their dominance over the Seminoles, who now sit at 3-2 overall and 0-2 in the ACC.
The game began with Florida State striking first, moving 70 yards down the field before settling for a field goal. However, from that point on, Miami took control, stifling the nation's top scoring offense to just 161 yards and preventing any points during Florida State's next seven possessions. By the middle of the fourth quarter, a once-explosive Florida State offense found themselves in a tough spot, having thrown more interceptions (two) than completions of over 20 yards (just one).
Miami's offensive performance was equally impressive, further fueling their College Football Playoff aspirations. Transitioning from a heavy reliance on their rushing attack earlier in the season, the Hurricanes' passing game flourished on Saturday night. Georgia transfer Carson Beck completed an impressive 19 of his first 23 passes, throwing four touchdown passes. His talented receivers also made significant contributions, with freshman Malachi Toney scoring on remarkable runs of 40 and 44 yards, including a daring fourth-and-2 conversion.
Additionally, CJ Daniels caught a 26-yard touchdown pass in the second half, adding to his earlier short score. As the game progressed, the Seminoles made a late push, with Tommy Castellanos throwing two touchdown passes and leading a 19-point rally that made the final score closer than the game had indicated for most of the night. Nevertheless, Miami's special teams stepped up, recovering an onside kick to secure the victory.
With this victory, Miami now has a week off before hosting Louisville on Friday, October 17. Meanwhile, Florida State will host Pitt next Saturday, looking to bounce back from their two-game skid. The Hurricanes have firmly established themselves as the state champions, having defeated Florida State, Florida, and South Florida in their first five games. This marks a historic moment for the Canes, as they have beaten both Florida and Florida State in consecutive years for the first time since 2001-04.
Once a series dominated by Florida State, Miami has turned the tide in recent years. The Hurricanes had previously endured six consecutive losses to former head coach Jimbo Fisher from 2010 to 2016, but the landscape has shifted significantly since Fisher's departure to Texas A&M in 2017. The atmosphere on Saturday was electric, with FSU fans still chanting Fisher’s name during the pregame show, a testament to the changing dynamics of this storied rivalry.
Beck’s standout night did not go unnoticed. ESPN captured his celebration as he counted out his four touchdown passes, marking the fifth time in his career he has thrown at least four touchdown passes in a game. His chemistry with receivers Daniels and Toney has been a highlight of the season, especially following a less-than-stellar performance against Florida two weeks prior. Entering the game with the highest completion percentage in the ACC at 73.2%, Beck finished 20 for 27, solidifying his status as a key player for the Hurricanes.
For Florida State, the road ahead looks challenging. Their hopes of making the College Football Playoff have taken a significant hit, especially after their rocky start in conference play. Although their preseason expectations were tempered, a strong Week 1 victory against Alabama had raised hopes for the season. Now, with their playoff chances dwindling, the Seminoles face the daunting task of turning their season around to achieve a ten-win record, a feat that seems increasingly out of reach.
Head coach Mike Norvell must address critical issues, particularly ball security, after witnessing his team fumble twice in the first half. These struggles have become a concerning trend, as Florida State has not defeated a top-three team since their national championship win against Auburn in 2013. With a current record of 3-3 against Miami, Norvell's team needs to regroup quickly to salvage their season.
