No. 3 Miami survived a double-overtime thriller against Florida State on Saturday night, winning 43-35 after two disputed officiating calls on the Seminoles’ final possession wiped out a potential tying score and sealed the game on an interception.
Trailing by eight points in the second overtime, Florida State faced fourth-and-21 from the Miami 36-yard line. Quarterback Ashton Daniels connected with Micahi Danzy in the end zone on what appeared to be a 36-yard touchdown. Officials instead flagged left tackle Xavier Chaplin for holding, nullifying the score and setting up fourth-and-31 from the 46.
Asked afterward about the penalty, Florida State coach Mike Norvell offered a blunt assessment.
“Go watch the film,” he said.
Daniels then lofted another desperation pass toward 6-foot-6 receiver Duce Robinson, who contested the ball with Miami defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald in the end zone. Officials ruled the play an interception by Fitzgerald. A replay review upheld the call, ending the game.
Norvell disagreed, arguing the players had simultaneous possession. Under NCAA rules, joint possession of a forward pass is awarded to the offense.
“Since the start of football, if it’s a tie it goes to the receiver,” Norvell said. “I guess they had a different angle.”
He also noted that the same officiating crew had worked last year’s Florida State-Miami game, which Miami won 28-22.
“Pretty unique when you have the same crew back-to-back years in game-ending situations that go down to the last play,” Norvell said.
ESPN rules analyst Steve Shaw backed the final ruling.
“You can see the defender, he clearly had his hands on the ball,” Shaw said. “When they go to the ground, eventually you see it in his stomach, right there. It was an interception. Clearly, nothing to overturn it. This was the correct call.”
The outcome closed a competitive rivalry game in which Florida State repeatedly answered Miami’s scores. The Seminoles led 21-14 in the third quarter before Miami pulled even. Daniels then hit Robinson for a 75-yard touchdown with 2:39 remaining in regulation to tie the game at 28.
Robinson added a 20-yard scoring catch to open the first overtime. Miami answered with a touchdown, then took the lead in the second overtime on a short pass from Darian Mensah to Malachi Toney, followed by a successful two-point conversion pass.
Daniels finished 15 of 28 for 298 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Robinson caught five passes for 113 yards and two scores. Mensah completed 23 of 34 for 326 yards and three touchdowns, while Toney hauled in 11 receptions for 154 yards and two scores.
Miami improved to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Florida State dropped to 3-4 and 1-3 in conference play. The Hurricanes rushed for 257 yards, including 108 and two touchdowns from Javian Mallory, and outgained the Seminoles 583-443.
The win kept Miami undefeated and positioned to climb in the rankings after other top teams lost earlier in the day. Florida State, which has struggled on the road under Norvell, now faces a bye before hosting Clemson.
Officials consulted the ACC replay center on the final play and found insufficient evidence to reverse the on-field interception call. Norvell said he received little explanation beyond the rulings themselves.
The game drew 66,790 fans to Hard Rock Stadium. Miami has now won seven of its last 10 meetings with Florida State.
