Miami Outlasts Florida State in Double Overtime Thriller
Darian Mensah leads No. 3 Hurricanes to a dramatic 43-35 victory over rival Seminoles.
No. 3 Miami secured a hard-fought 43-35 victory over rival Florida State in a double-overtime classic on Saturday night. Quarterback Darian Mensah was instrumental in the win, throwing for 326 yards and three touchdowns, including the decisive 3-yard pass to Malachi Toney in the second overtime.
Toney was a key offensive threat for Miami (6-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), recording 11 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns. He also contributed on the crucial extra point, completing a 2-point conversion pass to Cooper Barkate after his overtime score. The Hurricanes' defense sealed the victory when Bryce Fitzgerald intercepted a pass on the final play.
Mensah completed 23 of 34 passes for Miami, which has now won seven of its last 10 matchups against Florida State. Running back Javian Mallory added 108 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Mark Fletcher Jr. also scored on the ground for the Hurricanes.
"That was something else," Mensah said following the game. "Credit to my defense to closing that out. What a finish."
Florida State's Ashton Daniels matched Miami's offensive output with 298 passing yards and four touchdowns. Duce Robinson was a significant target for Daniels, scoring twice late in the game, including a 75-yard touchdown that tied the contest with 2:49 remaining in regulation and a 20-yard score to begin the first overtime.
The Seminoles (3-4, 1-3), who will host Clemson on Oct. 31 after a bye week, lost their top rusher, Ousmane Kromah, to a left leg injury late in the first half. Florida State appeared to have a chance to close the gap late in the game when Daniels connected on a 36-yard pass on fourth-and-21, but the play was nullified by a holding penalty. Their subsequent attempt into the end zone was ruled an interception after review.
Throughout the game, neither team could establish a significant lead, with Florida State consistently answering Miami's scores. The Hurricanes held a 28-21 advantage late in the fourth quarter after a Mensah touchdown pass, but the lead was short-lived.
Ten seconds later, Daniels found Robinson for a 75-yard score, forcing overtime. Miami was unable to score on its next possession, leading to the extra periods.
Miami will host Pitt next Saturday. The Hurricanes held early leads of 7-0 and 14-7, only for Florida State to tie the game each time. The Seminoles took a 21-14 lead, which Miami matched, before the Hurricanes regained the lead. Florida State responded again, setting the stage for overtime where Miami answered after the Seminoles scored first.
Florida State has now lost 14 consecutive road games since the 2023 Orange Bowl and has not won a true road game against a ranked opponent since defeating Miami 20-19 on Oct. 8, 2016.
Mensah's remarkable streak of 153 passes without an interception to start his Miami career ended during the third quarter when he attempted to force a pass to Barkate in the end zone. Ashlynd Barker intercepted the pass for Florida State, maintaining a 14-14 tie at the time.