Miami Outlasts Florida State in 2OT to Remain Unbeaten

No. 3 Miami escaped with its unbeaten record intact after surviving a dramatic 43-35 double-overtime victory over archrival Florida State in a game that swung repeatedly before finally ending on the last play.

On a day already packed with wild finishes and major upsets, the Hurricanes looked vulnerable again but found just enough offense late to avoid being the latest ranked team to fall. Miami entered the matchup without a loss this season, while Florida State arrived still searching for answers in another difficult year. By the end of the night, both storylines remained unchanged, though Miami had to work far harder than expected to keep its perfect run going.

Quarterback Darian Mensah led the Hurricanes through the tense finish, throwing for 326 yards and three touchdowns. His final scoring pass, a 3-yard throw to Malachi Toney in the second overtime, gave Miami the edge for good. Toney was one of the game’s biggest difference-makers, finishing with 154 receiving yards and also throwing a 2-point conversion pass to Cooper Barkate in a creative sequence that helped the Hurricanes keep pace in a game full of momentum shifts.

Florida State refused to fade, even when Miami appeared ready to pull away. Ashton Daniels delivered one of the Seminoles’ better offensive performances of the season, passing for 298 yards and four touchdowns. Duce Robinson supplied the most explosive moments for Florida State late in regulation and overtime, hauling in a 75-yard touchdown that tied the score with less than three minutes remaining and then adding a 20-yard scoring catch to begin the first overtime period.

The game developed into a back-and-forth battle that neither side could fully control. Miami answered key Florida State scores, and the Seminoles repeatedly forced the Hurricanes to keep earning every point. In the extra sessions, execution became even more important, and Miami eventually made the final defensive play it needed. Defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald secured the win with an interception on Florida State’s last snap, ending the upset bid and sending the Hurricanes away with a rivalry win that was far less comfortable than the ranking might have suggested.

What the result means

For Miami, the victory preserved an undefeated season and reinforced the idea that surviving difficult games can matter as much as dominating them. The Hurricanes were tested deep into the night and still found a way to finish, which is often the difference for teams trying to stay in the national conversation.

For Florida State, the loss added another painful chapter to a season that has produced too many of them. Head coach Mike Norvell has continued to face heavy scrutiny over his job security as the program struggles through one of the nation’s worst records across the last three years. The broader trend away from home has been especially troubling. Dating back to the 2023 Orange Bowl loss to Georgia, the Seminoles have now dropped 14 straight games outside Tallahassee. They are also 0-13 since 2017 in true road games against ranked opponents.

That made this near-upset even more frustrating for Florida State. The Seminoles were close to ending several damaging streaks at once, but Miami’s late composure and one final takeaway kept that from happening. Instead, the Hurricanes left with a rivalry win, a spotless record, and another reminder that staying unbeaten sometimes requires surviving games that nearly slip away.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.