Florida State’s hopes of a comeback fell short on Saturday as Miami held firm to secure a 28-22 victory at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Seminoles’ defeat marked their second straight loss and their lowest-scoring performance of the season. Despite a late rally in the fourth quarter, Florida State could not overcome Miami’s early dominance.
Hurricanes Take Early Control
The No. 3-ranked Miami Hurricanes (5-0) set the tone from the start, building a commanding 28-3 lead by the fourth quarter. Quarterback Carson Beck led the charge, completing 20 of 27 passes for 241 yards and four touchdowns. His precision, combined with the explosive play of receivers Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels, shredded Florida State’s defense.
Toney posted 107 yards and two touchdowns, while Daniels added 78 yards and two scores. Together, they exposed the Seminoles’ secondary, which struggled to contain deep throws and allowed too many yards after contact. Miami finished the night with 339 total yards, averaging 5.7 yards per play.
Seminoles’ Offense Struggles Early
Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos had a frustrating night. He completed 25 of 45 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns but threw two costly interceptions. Under constant pressure from Miami’s defensive front, Castellanos hesitated in the pocket and missed several open receivers early in the game.
A crucial mistake came on a fourth-and-long attempt in the first half when Castellanos forced a throw to Randy Pittman Jr., allowing Miami’s Bryce Fitzgerald to intercept the pass. That turnover led directly to a Miami touchdown on the next play, putting Florida State deeper in trouble.
The offensive struggles continued into the second half. Castellanos’ second interception, on an underthrown deep ball to Squirrel White, ended another promising drive. Though he later helped spark a late rally, his performance highlighted the Seminoles’ inconsistency in key moments.
Late Comeback Too Little, Too Late
Trailing 28-3 in the fourth quarter, Florida State suddenly found rhythm. The Seminoles scored 19 unanswered points in the final 10 minutes, narrowing the deficit to six. However, time ran out before they could complete the comeback.
Despite outgaining Miami 404 yards to 338 and running 24 more plays, Florida State’s mistakes in the first three quarters proved too costly. Missed tackles, stalled drives, and poor execution on trick plays allowed Miami to control the pace.
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Coaching and Play-Calling Under Fire
Head coach Gus Malzahn’s play-calling faced criticism throughout the night. In the first half, several questionable decisions killed Florida State’s momentum. A flea flicker on third down fooled no one, forcing a punt. Later, the Seminoles went for it on fourth-and-eight near midfield, only for Castellanos to throw an interception.
That play turned out to be a turning point. On the next snap, Beck connected with Toney for a 44-yard touchdown, extending Miami’s lead to 14-3 and silencing the crowd. From that moment, the Hurricanes dictated the game’s tempo.
Malzahn also relied heavily on trick plays, a hallmark of his offensive strategy. Yet against Miami’s disciplined defense, none of them worked. The Hurricanes snuffed out several gadget plays behind the line of scrimmage, leaving the Seminoles’ offense disoriented and predictable.
Defensive Lapses Continue
Florida State’s defense, already under scrutiny after a poor showing against Virginia, once again struggled to execute. Missed tackles and blown coverages allowed Miami’s receivers to turn short passes into big gains.
The Hurricanes capitalized with two explosive first-half touchdowns that accounted for half of their total yards before halftime. Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s unit repeatedly failed to contain Miami’s passing attack, as Beck found open targets across the field.
The Seminoles’ inability to pressure Beck was also glaring. Miami’s offensive line gave their quarterback a clean pocket for most of the night, allowing him to pick apart the defense with ease. Florida State’s secondary looked a step behind, often reacting instead of anticipating routes.
Statistical Breakdown
While the scoreboard told one story, the stats offered another. Florida State ran more plays, gained more yards, and even dominated possession in the fourth quarter. Yet turnovers and red-zone inefficiency defined the difference.
Miami converted its opportunities efficiently, scoring on every red-zone trip and taking advantage of short fields. Meanwhile, Florida State faltered on key downs, failing to sustain drives or capitalize on Miami’s few defensive lapses.
What’s Next for the Seminoles
The loss drops Florida State to 3-2 overall and 0-2 in ACC play for the second consecutive season. With conference games against Pittsburgh and Stanford ahead, the Seminoles must regroup quickly. Their offense needs sharper execution, and their defense must find ways to finish plays and limit explosive passes.
Malzahn emphasized accountability after the game, saying the team must “clean up mistakes and play a full 60 minutes.” Florida State’s recent losses have raised questions about consistency and leadership, especially with tougher matchups looming.
A Rivalry That Still Burns
Saturday’s defeat adds another painful chapter to one of college football’s fiercest rivalries. Florida State now trails Miami 33-37 in the all-time series and has dropped consecutive games to the Hurricanes.
As fans filed out of Doak Campbell Stadium, the mood was one of frustration but also determination. The Seminoles’ late surge showed glimpses of resilience, but their inability to execute early left too much ground to cover.
For now, Miami remains unbeaten and confident, while Florida State must rediscover its rhythm before its season slips further off course. The Seminoles’ defeat may sting, but it also serves as a stark reminder: in rivalry games, every play—and every mistake—matters.
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