Hurricanes Take Big Step — But Nearly Let It Slip at Florida St

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On Saturday night in Tallahassee, the No. 3 Miami Hurricanes walked away with a 28–22 victory over No. 18 Florida State, but not without anxiety. The final score told a closer story than the first three quarters hinted.

By halftime and into the third quarter, Miami had built a dominant lead, capitalizing on turnovers and dictating tempo. But Florida State mounted a ferocious fourth-quarter rally, cutting into the margin and threatening to snatch it back. The Seminoles scored 19 unanswered points and had the ball deep in Miami territory with time running down — only to see their comeback fall short when successive onside kick attempts failed.

That risk of collapse makes the win all the more dramatic — and perhaps more telling about the Hurricanes’ maturity under pressure.

Key Figures & Moments

Carson Beck and the Big-Time Throws

Miami’s senior QB Carson Beck was in rhythm all night. He completed 20 of 27 passes for 241 yards and four touchdowns (two each to Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels). He also escaped pressure and kept calm when FSU dialed up late-game pressure.

Beck’s composure and precision were the heartbeat of Miami’s pass-heavy attack, especially when the ground game couldn’t dominate.

Breakout Night for Toney & Daniels

Malachi Toney, a true freshman, hauled in 7 catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns, including a breathtaking score from a deep throw.
CJ Daniels matched the two-TD haul, giving Miami a well-balanced receiving assault.

These performances deepen Miami’s receiving corps, giving opposing defenses even more matching problems going forward.

Turnovers & Defensive Stands

The game hinged not just on Miami’s offensive execution but on its ability to force turnovers. Florida State’s Tommy Castellanos threw two critical interceptions, both of which turned into Miami scores.

The Hurricanes’ defense also buckled down in key moments, preventing FSU from extending drives. Over seven straight drives in portions of the game, Florida State was stopped via punts or turnovers.

FSU’s rushing game — previously effective — was held to just 132 yards on 38 carries (3.5 yd per carry).

Aftermath & Implications

Miami: Validation, But Questions Remain

With this win, Miami improved to 5–0 (1–0 ACC) and extended its dominance over in-state rivals. Coach Mario Cristobal proclaimed his squad the “state champions,” having already defeated Florida and USF this season.

But this game also exposed vulnerabilities. In the fourth quarter, Miami’s offense stalled (only 17 total yards and 0-for-4 on third downs), and the defense showed signs of fatigue under sustained pressure.

Whether the Hurricanes can tighten up late-game execution will be a test going forward.

Florida State: Fight Too Little, Too Late

FSU’s rally was courageous and sparked hope for a comeback story, but it ultimately confirmed lingering issues: turnovers, inconsistent quarterback play, and penalty missteps.

Coach Mike Norvell admitted the loss stung — “there are no silver linings in losing” — but acknowledged the need to correct schematic and mental mistakes.

Florida State falls to 3–2 (0–2 ACC) and may drop out of the rankings after back-to-back conference defeats.

Rivalry & Narrative

This game adds another chapter to one of college football’s best rivalries. Miami’s win continues the momentum in the state’s triangle of power, with Cristobal’s squad asserting dominance over both FSU and Florida to date.

For FSU, it’s a sobering reminder that talent and effort aren’t enough — execution and discipline remain the separating lines.

The Bottom Line

This was not a perfect performance, but for Miami, it was a huge statement under duress. They played with conviction, turned mistakes into opportunities, and held off one of their fiercest rivals in hostile territory.

Florida State showed fight, and nearly coasted back into the game, but too many chances slipped away. The Seminoles must regroup fast if they hope to stay competitive in the ACC.

If you’d like a more graphical breakdown (drive charts, win probability curves) or want a player spotlight, I can pull that together too. Do you want me to do that?