TALLAHASSEE, FL. – In a highly charged atmosphere at Doak Campbell Stadium, the Miami Hurricanes maintained their composure.
They executed impactful passing plays, maintained ball security, and created turnovers. They prevented the top-ranked offense in the nation from reaching the end zone until the fourth quarter.
Displaying both efficiency and determination, they opened ACC play Saturday evening with a significant victory over a prominent rival, demonstrating their strength as a competitive force in college football as October begins.
In their first away game of 2025, the third-ranked Hurricanes defeated No. 18 Florida State with a final score of 28-22. Miami improved to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the ACC. Florida State dropped to 3-2 overall and 0-2 in conference play. This was the first ranked matchup between the teams since 2016, and Miami now holds a series lead of 37-33.
Florida State entered the game leading the nation in scoring offense (53 points per game) and total offense (600 yards per game), but their output was limited to 404 total yards—188 of those in the fourth quarter, when Miami had established a 25-point lead. The Seminoles had 83 offensive snaps, 24 more than Miami.
Miami Hurricanes’ defense excels in victory over Florida Gators
Miami’s defense was led by cornerback Keionte Scott, who recorded 11 tackles and recovered a fumble. Safety Zechariah Poyser added eight tackles and a forced fumble. Cornerback Bryce Fitzgerald and safety Jakobe Thomas each intercepted passes, with Thomas also recording a sack. Defensive end Akheem Mesidor contributed six tackles and a sack. After scoring on their opening drive with a field goal, Florida State did not score again until their ninth offensive series.
On offense, quarterback Carson Beck, experienced in challenging road environments, completed 20 of 27 pass attempts for 241 yards and four touchdown passes—two each to wide receivers CJ Daniels and Malachi Toney. Toney finished with seven receptions for 107 yards, while Daniels’s five catches totaled 78 yards. Running back Mark Fletcher carried the ball 12 times for 40 yards. Miami’s defense did not commit any turnovers during the game.
Florida State University quarterback Tommy Castellanos completed 25 of 45 passes for 272 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 57 yards. Wide receiver Duce Robinson recorded six receptions for 87 yards.
The Seminoles began the game on offense, with Castellanos connecting with running back Ousmane Kormah for a 28-yard gain along the right sideline. Castellanos then scrambled for 15 yards up the middle to the Miami 24-yard line. The team advanced inside the ten-yard line but were unable to convert on third and goal, settling for a 23-yard field goal by Jake Weinberg. FSU took an early 3-0 lead, marking the first time Miami had trailed this season.
After both teams exchanged punts, Miami regained possession at its own 21-yard line. Fletcher advanced the ball with a 10-yard run, and Beck then executed a deep pass to Daniels for 47 yards, placing Miami in the red zone. Fletcher converted a fourth-and-one with a two-yard run to the eight-yard line, and two plays later, Beck connected with Daniels for a four-yard touchdown pass, giving Miami a 7-3 lead.
On the following drive, Castellanos connected with Robinson for 17 yards to the Florida State 43-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-eight from the 41-yard line, FSU opted to go for it, but Castellanos was intercepted deep over the middle by Fitzgerald, who returned his third interception of the season to the Seminoles’ 44-yard line. On the next play, Beck completed a flea-flicker from Fletcher to Toney, who made a contested catch over his left shoulder and scored a touchdown, increasing Miami’s lead to 11 points.
Florida State crossed midfield, but a personal foul penalty on guard Jacob Rizy halted their drive, allowing the Hurricanes to regain possession. The Seminoles’ defense responded with a three-and-out, and FSU gained the ball back at midfield with 5:10 remaining in the first half.
On the subsequent play, Poyser forced a fumble from Kromah, which Scott recovered at the Miami 46-yard line. Although Beck appeared to connect with Toney on a long touchdown pass, the play was called back due to illegal motion. The Florida State defense then held the Hurricanes, and the Seminoles took over at their own 10-yard line.
Castellanos completed two passes for first downs, but a sack by Mesidor halted the drive. Miami used the remaining time in the first half, which concluded with the Canes accumulating 181 yards compared to the Seminoles’ 150 yards, while holding a 14-3 lead.
Miami received the ball to start the second half, and Beck quickly advanced the Canes to the Seminoles’ 40-yard line. Facing a fourth and two, Beck connected with Toney across the middle, and the freshman outran FSU’s secondary to score a touchdown, extending Miami’s lead to 21-3.
The Seminoles moved into Miami territory, but on first and ten from the UM 37-yard line, Castellanos attempted a pass toward the end zone, which was intercepted by Thomas. Miami responded with an 80-yard drive over eight plays, culminating in Beck’s completion to Daniels for his second touchdown reception. The 24-yard scoring pass increased Miami’s lead to 28-3.
After exchanging punts, FSU reached the red zone for the first time since their opening drive. Castellanos connected with wide receiver Lawayne McCoy for an eight-yard touchdown, and a subsequent two-point conversion reduced the deficit to 28-11.
FSU attempted an onside kick, which Miami recovered. However, the Hurricanes could not advance the ball and pinned FSU back at its four-yard line. Castellanos then drove the Seminoles into Miami territory, including a seven-yard scramble on fourth and five, and a 15-yard pass to tight end Randy Pittman on fourth down. Two plays later, Castellanos found Pittman for a six-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion brought the score to 28-19, with 3:22 remaining on the clock.
Miami recovered another onside kick and advanced the ball to the FSU 30-yard line. Facing a fourth and one, running back Marty Brown secured the first down, aided by an offside penalty on FSU. Miami maintained possession until 1:12 remaining, when FSU regained the ball. The Seminoles drove to the UM 17-yard line, and Weinberg kicked a 35-yard field goal to narrow the gap to six points with 25 seconds remaining. FSU’s third onside kick was recovered by linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, sealing the victory for Miami.
The Hurricanes are scheduled to have a bye week before hosting Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday, October 17. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., broadcast on ESPN or ESPN2.
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