Florida State’s trip to Miami ended with more than just another loss. It ended with a fan base convinced it had watched the Seminoles get robbed.
What unfolded Saturday night was a bruising, back-and-forth rivalry game that looked nothing like the matchup most people expected after FSU’s 44-20 loss to Louisville and the uncertainty swirling around Mike Norvell. Miami came in ranked No. 3, with plenty of outside noise suggesting Florida State might get run out early. Instead, the Seminoles played with edge, answered punches, and kept the game alive deep into the night.
The emotion only intensified after star running back Ousmane Kromah went down. Florida State tied the game near the end of the first half, and when Ashton Daniels punched in a score, he flashed a “32” with his fingers in honor of his teammate.
FSU then grabbed its first lead in the third quarter, capping a touchdown drive that came after the defense forced a turnover on downs. That stop was part of a strong stretch for the Seminoles, who forced two turnover-on-downs plays and picked off Darian Mensah for the first time this season.
But the game started slipping away in the fourth quarter. Florida State stopped Miami on fourth down, then followed it with a short punt. The Hurricanes immediately seized the opening, covering 72 yards in four plays to tie it at 21.
Florida State then handed Miami another chance. Quintrevion Wisner picked up a first down, but lost the ball in the process.
Micahi Danzy tried to fight for it, but a Miami defender pinned him down and the Hurricanes came away with the recovery. Miami turned that turnover into a touchdown.
The Seminoles still weren’t done. They forced overtime on a 75-yard strike to Duce Robinson.
Then came the sequence that lit up the fan base. In double overtime, Florida State had a touchdown wiped away by what the source described as a phantom holding penalty. On 4th and 31, the refs ruled Robinson didn’t have possession, handing Miami the football and the win.
The reaction afterward was immediate and loud from Florida State fans, who took aim at the officiating and at Norvell’s game management.
“FSU vs refs. Calls holding AFTER the catch when every play that was extended for Mensah was holding and not called 🤦🏼♂️”
“I’m the furthest thing from “complain about the refs guy” but we got completely and absolutely screwed.”
“If Norvell would Take the Damn FIELD GOAL, FSU would have won.”
“So theres this thing called field goals. Gets you 3 points that you can store for later 😅 pic.twitter.com/fyke3NBcXQ”
“Norvell plays Madden football. FSU wins w/o him managing the game and not kicking the FGs in the 1st half.
Game after game. He proves he has no clue how to manage a game.
Absolutely Pathetic. Then he downs it in the 4th to go into OT.
He’s the only reason FSU loss tonight.”
“Fire Mike norvell. We are the laughing stock of college football”
“Wouldn’t have to worry about OT when the head coach left points on the field he left points on the field last game and they turned that BS on our head and another game where the defense done gave up 500 plus norvell is a joke”
In Other News...
Ashton Daniels Hit Leaves Florida State Fans Watching One Thing
Florida States sideline had to hold its breath for a few moments Saturday after Ashton Daniels took a hit to the head while sliding against Miami. The play drew an ejection for Hurricanes defensive back Zechariah Poyser on a targeting call, and Daniels was sent to the medical tent for evaluation before eventually making his way back onto the field.
Kevin Sperry stepped in during Daniels brief absence, giving the Seminoles a reminder of how quickly a game can tilt when the quarterback is forced out for even a snap or two. For Florida State, the bigger concern was Daniels health, and his return on the next drive at least offered some relief after a tense sequence in a rivalry game already packed with emotion. [Read more 🡒]
FSU's Miami Fight Suddenly Comes With A Bigger Worry
Florida States game against Miami took a worrying turn when running back Ousmane Kromah went down with a lower-body injury and had to be taken off the field on a cart with an air cast. It was the kind of scene that immediately shifted attention away from the scoreboard, especially in a rivalry game that was tight from the opening half and headed into halftime tied at 14.
Ashton Daniels also took a hit to the head and briefly left the game before returning, adding another layer of concern for the Seminoles as they tried to stay composed in a physical matchup. With the score still even and the injury situations hanging over both sidelines, Florida States focus now goes beyond just keeping pace with Miami. [Read more 🡒]
FSU Fans Have Every Reason To Be Furious After Miami Heartbreaker
Florida State came out of Miami with a gut-punch loss, falling 43-35 in double overtime to the third-ranked Hurricanes in a game that had enough swings to frustrate everyone involved. Ashton Daniels gave the Seminoles a chance all night, throwing for 298 yards and connecting multiple times with Duce Robinson, but the road skid keeps growing and the bigger concern may be how hard the team had to fight just to stay in position against a top-end opponent.
The Seminoles also took a hit when Ousmane Kromah went down with an ankle injury, thinning an offense that was already leaning on Daniels to make plays through the air. Miamis Darian Mensah answered with 326 passing yards and three touchdowns, and the finish only added to the sting, with the game hinging on a sequence Florida State will not forget anytime soon. [Read more 🡒]