Sports
Miami stays unbeaten after Fitzgerald’s overtime interception ends FSU rally
No. 3 Miami beat Florida State 43-35 in double overtime at Hard Rock Stadium, improving to 6-0. Freshman Javian Mallory rushed for two touchdowns, and Bryce Fitzgerald’s interception sealed the win after the Seminoles threatened to answer Miami’s second-overtime score.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami survived a late Florida State comeback Saturday night, winning 43-35 in double overtime at Hard Rock Stadium after Bryce Fitzgerald intercepted a pass to end the Seminoles’ final possession.
The No. 3 Hurricanes improved to 6-0 in front of nearly 67,000 fans, while Florida State fell to 3-4. Miami’s victory came on a day when Notre Dame, Georgia, Alabama and Texas also lost, leaving the Hurricanes with a chance to move to No. 1 in the next AP poll. Miami last held that ranking in the 2002 season.
Quarterback Darian Mensah threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman running back Javian Mallory carried 13 times for 108 yards and two scores, while receiver Malachi Toney caught 10 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown. Toney also contributed as a runner and passer.
Miami led 14-7 in the first half, but Florida State tied the game before the break. The Hurricanes were penalized six times for 61 yards in the half, and defensive back Zechariah Poyser was ejected for targeting.
The Seminoles took a 21-14 lead in the second half on quarterback Ashton Daniels’ 28-yard touchdown pass to running back Quintrevion Wisner. Miami tied it when Mallory finished a drive set up by a 35-yard catch and 30-yard run from Toney.
After Miami recovered a Wisner fumble, Mensah connected with tight end Elija Lofton for a touchdown to put the Hurricanes ahead 28-21. Florida State answered immediately: Daniels hit Duce Robinson for a 75-yard score, sending the game to overtime tied at 28.
Robinson caught another touchdown in the first overtime, but Mallory’s 25-yard rushing score brought Miami even at 35. In the second overtime, Mensah found Toney for a touchdown, and Toney threw a two-point conversion pass to Cooper Barkate on a trick play for an eight-point lead.
Florida State appeared to score on fourth-and-20, but a holding penalty erased the 36-yard touchdown. After a sack by Miami’s Omar Thornton, Fitzgerald intercepted Daniels’ next pass in the end zone to finish the game.
Daniels threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns, but Miami’s defense made the decisive play after struggling to contain Florida State’s passing attack. The Hurricanes also overcame Mensah’s first interception of the season and a fourth-down stop that had ended an earlier scoring opportunity.
Miami hosts Pittsburgh on Oct. 24. Florida State has a bye before hosting Clemson on Oct. 31.