It was another battle in the capital of the great state of Florida between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida State Seminoles. Both programs entered last night’s matchup ranked in the top 25 for the first time since 2016, and it could define their seasons moving forward.
The Hurricanes were coming off a bye week, rested and recharged, looking to keep their undefeated record alive; meanwhile, the Seminoles sought redemption after suffering an upsetting loss to the Virginia Cavaliers in double overtime last Friday.
The last time the Hurricanes won a game on the Seminoles’ home turf was the 2019 season, and it was also quarterback Carson Beck’s first time in his collegiate career playing in front of their fans.
It was also the Hurricanes’ first time on the road this season, a test they couldn’t afford to fail.
The Hurricanes won the toss and deferred, so quarterback Tommy Castellanos and the Seminoles got the action started.
Castellanos caught the Hurricanes’ defense sleeping, throwing to running back Ousmane Kromah for a 28-yard catch, followed by him rushing for 15 yards, converting on the first down.
The Seminoles continued to dominate early, establishing the run game; however, the Hurricanes were able to keep them out of the end zone. Kicker Jake Weignberg put up the first score of the game, 3-0.
The Hurricanes officially found themselves trailing in a game for the first time this season; then it was up to them to respond.
After converting on a first down, on second and eight, Beck attempted to go down the field, throwing to wide receiver Malachi Toney for 40 yards, but he couldn’t catch it. Then, the Seminoles' defense managed to pressure him and deflect another long pass. The Hurricanes’ offense was quick to get off the field.
After Castellanos failed to run past the Hurricanes’ defensive line, running back Gavin Sawchuck broke through for 15 yards and converted on a first down on their second drive. The Seminoles attempted a trick play, but couldn’t get the first down, then punted for the first time in the game.
Hurricanes’ running back Mark Fletcher Jr. got the run game going on their second drive, converting on a first down. Afterwards, Beck went deep for 47 yards to wide receiver CJ Daniels, getting closer to the end zone. The Hurricanes converted on a fourth and one down, followed up with a touchdown by Daniels, putting them up 7-3 after a good kick for the extra point.
The first quarter came to an end.
The Seminoles immediately began to throw punches after Castellanos found tight end Randy Pittman Jr. for the first down. The Hurricanes' defense was starting to cause some chaos, until a false start from edge Rueben Bain Jr.
Afterwards, Castellanos was picked off by defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald, immediately followed by a touchdown from Toney. The Hurricanes punched harder, going up 14-3, after a good kick for the extra point.
The Seminoles made some plays to get down around the 50-yard line, but the Hurricanes' defense came through with some crucial stops. Both teams were also penalized during the drive.
The Hurricanes’ offense got back on the field and failed to convert on a first down, mainly due to a five-yard penalty on a false start. However, the defense cleaned up the mess after recovering a forced fumble.
Moments later, Toney found the end zone again, but the touchdown was called back because of illegal motion. The team failed to convert on a first down yet again.
The Seminoles nearly lost the ball again on their first play back on the field, but recovered. Castellanos then took a strong hit from defensive back Keionte Scott, followed up with a sack from lineman Ahkeem Mesidor.
The second quarter came to an end. The Hurricanes’ defense gave the team life throughout the first half.
The Hurricanes began the third with the ball and found some rhythm offensively in the pass and run game. Shortly after, Beck exploded for another long touchdown pass, on fourth down, back again to Toney for 40 yards. That connection has worked miracles for the Hurricanes, punching the score to 21-3, after a good kick for the extra point.
The Seminoles took the field and soon found themselves back on the bench after another interception, this time by Hurricanes’ defensive back Jakobe Thomas, Castellanos' second for the game.
The Hurricanes' defense had been tremendous up to that point. As for the offense, they continue to find ways to move the ball down the field steadily. After a few strong plays, Beck found Daniels again in the end zone, stacking up the scoreboard, 28-3, after a good kick for the extra point.
The Seminoles' offense appeared lifeless in the following drive, which ended with Castellanos getting sacked, the second of the game, and forced another punt.
The third quarter came to an end and the Hurricanes were in takeover mode, also 15 minutes away from victory. However, the game clearly wasn't over.
The Seminoles found a spark in their first drive of the fourth, in which they finally found the end zone for the first time of the game, and successfully converted for the extra two points, shifting the scoreboard to 28-11.
The Seminoles later found the end zone again, plus the extra two points; the score was 28-19. The Hurricanes’ defense had lost a step late in the game.
After a loose onside kick by the Seminoles, the Hurricanes still retained possession, but they nearly lost it after touching the ball. The offense remained conservative, but left some time on the clock.
The Seminoles moved the ball enough to come through with a field goal, to at least draw the score closer. However, the Hurricanes survived and left Tallahassee with a strong victory; they also claimed the state with a final score of 28-22.
The Hurricanes overcame a difficult obstacle, but it may strengthen the team’s momentum for the rest of the season after advancing to a 5-0 record.