MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami had to answer Florida State twice in the fourth quarter and again in overtime. When the Hurricanes finally had a chance to put the pressure back on their rival, Malachi Toney delivered in two different ways.
The sophomore caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Darian Mensah in the second overtime, then threw a two-point conversion to Cooper Barkate. Bryce Fitzgerald finished the job with an interception on Florida State’s ensuing possession, sealing a 43–35 Miami victory on Oct. 17 at Hard Rock Stadium.
The third-ranked Hurricanes improved to 6–0 overall and 4–0 in ACC play. Florida State fell to 3–4 and 1–3 after pushing Miami to the final snap.
“We just kept battling,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said.
That persistence mattered on a night when Miami’s production did not translate into a comfortable lead. The Hurricanes amassed 583 yards and held the ball for 37:20, but mistakes and Florida State’s explosive passing game kept the outcome unsettled.
Mensah finished 23 of 34 for 326 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Toney caught 11 passes for 154 yards and two scores, while freshman running back Javian Mallory rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
Miami opened with an 86-yard touchdown drive, finished by Mark Fletcher Jr.’s 7-yard run. Florida State tied the game on Ashton Daniels’ 23-yard scoring pass to Desirrio Riles before Mensah found Toney for a 14-yard touchdown and a 14–7 lead.
The Seminoles responded again. Daniels’ 2-yard touchdown run tied the game at 14 before halftime, and Florida State carried its resistance into the third quarter. Ashlynd Barker intercepted Mensah in the end zone, and the Seminoles later stopped Miami on fourth down.
Daniels then connected with Quintrevion Wisner for a 28-yard touchdown, putting Florida State ahead 21–14 with 4:09 left in the third.
Miami’s offense found its footing in the fourth quarter through its youngest playmakers. Toney contributed a 35-yard reception and a 30-yard run on a four-play, 72-yard touchdown drive. Mallory finished it with a 3-yard run to tie the game with 9:33 remaining.
A defensive takeaway created the next opportunity. Ethan O’Connor forced a Wisner fumble, and Xavier Lucas recovered. Miami used more than six minutes to march 61 yards, with Mensah finding Elija Lofton for a 3-yard touchdown and a 28–21 lead with 2:49 left.
That advantage lasted only 10 seconds.
Daniels hit Duce Robinson for a 75-yard touchdown on Florida State’s next offensive play, pulling the Seminoles even at 28. The rivals went to overtime, where Daniels and Robinson connected again, this time for a 20-yard touchdown.
Facing a seven-point deficit, Miami answered with Mallory’s 25-yard touchdown run to force a second overtime.
“It was really a lifetime moment,” Mallory said of playing in the rivalry. “Growing up, I watched that game.”
Toney then supplied Miami’s final touchdown and the conversion pass to Barkate, giving the Hurricanes an eight-point cushion.
The defense made it stand. Omar Thornton’s sack helped push Florida State into a difficult fourth down. A potential Seminoles touchdown was erased by a holding penalty, and Fitzgerald intercepted Daniels on fourth-and-31 to end the game.
Daniels threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns and added a rushing score. Robinson finished with five receptions for 113 yards and two touchdowns, repeatedly giving Florida State a way back.
Miami needed every response it could find: Mallory’s running, Toney’s versatility, Lofton’s late touchdown and Fitzgerald’s final takeaway.
The Hurricanes left with an unbeaten record intact and a rivalry victory earned through two extra periods, after neither team had been willing to go quietly.
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