The Miami Hurricanes finally shook Florida State after two overtimes, outlasting the Seminoles 43-35 in a rivalry game that turned into exactly the kind of mess nobody saw coming. It was not clean, and the injury list will be part of the story too, but Miami got the result it needed in a game where Malachi Toney kept bailing the Hurricanes out.
Bryce Fitzgerald delivered the finish, fighting off Duce Robinson for the interception that sealed it, even though Miami’s top defensive back spent much of the night banged up. That was only part of the damage in a game that left the Hurricanes dealing with both a win and plenty of bruises.
The biggest reason Miami survived was Toney, who looked like the answer every time the Hurricanes needed one. He made a spectacular catch in the first quarter, then took over when the game tightened late.
Toney finished with 11 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns, added 31 rushing yards on two carries, and even threw the two-point conversion pass in the second overtime. Maybe he probably won’t win the Heisman, but he needs to be in New York City when the award is handed out.
Miami’s defensive backfield was hanging by a thread by the end of the night. Fitzgerald was hurt on the first play of the game, returned, then got re-injured and was limited until the final play.
Zechariah Poyser was disqualified for targeting, which left Miami without four of the five defensive backs who started the season. That shortage showed up, especially with Corey Hetherman’s fourth-quarter calls leaving corners exposed with a deep safety in the middle.
There was still one smart defensive play that stood out. When FSU running back Tre Wisner fumbled, JJ Dunnigan recognized he was likely going to lose the race to the ball, so he tackled Micahi Danzy instead and let Xavier Lucas secure the turnover. That kind of snap judgment is part of why Dunnigan looks on track to be a freshman All-American.
Miami also got a lift from Javian Mallory, who may be forcing his way into a bigger role. With Mark Fletcher not looking right all season, the freshman from Boca Raton handled the load and delivered 13 carries for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
He wasn’t just picking up yardage; he was running through contact and looking like the most explosive power back on the roster. That backfield is headed toward a timeshare.
Not everything about the win was pretty, and the penalties were a clear part of that. Cristobal’s teams are usually built on detail, but Miami’s discipline slipped in a game that featured several costly mistakes, including some inexcusable actions by Keona Davis that left the defense on its heels. The complementary football Cristobal wants wasn’t always there.
The offensive line remains the biggest unfinished project. The group had seemed to be moving forward when true freshman Ben Congdon replaced SJ Alofaituli at left guard against Clemson, but Max Buchanan’s injury and surgery changed the picture again. Alofaituli was back on the right side and struggled, leaving Alex Mirabal still searching for the right combination.
In Other News...
Miami Survived FSU But The Ending Will Fuel Rivalry Debate
Miami's win over Florida State had all the ingredients of a classic rivalry game, and the final minutes only added to the chaos. The Hurricanes left with a 43-35 victory, but the closing sequence quickly shifted the conversation from the result itself to how it unfolded, with a holding penalty wiping out what would have been a game-tying touchdown catch for the Seminoles.
Florida State never got the finish it wanted, and the debate around the calls is likely to linger long after the scoreboard is filed away. On the next play, the Seminoles' Hail Mary was ruled an interception after review, a decision ESPN rules analyst Steve Shaw backed, giving Miami a disputed but official edge in a game that figures to fuel this rivalry for a while. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Held Its Breath As Malachi Toney Went Down Vs FSU
For a Miami offense that has leaned heavily on Malachi Toney this season, every snap from the receiver mattered when he limped off the field with a lower leg injury against Florida State. Toney had already piled up seven catches for 84 yards and a touchdown when the concern surfaced, and for a brief moment it looked like the Hurricanes might have to navigate the rest of the game without their most reliable target.
Instead, after an injury timeout, Toney returned to action and gave Miami a chance to exhale. There was no immediate word on the severity of the issue or whether it would affect his playing time moving forward, which leaves the Hurricanes waiting on the next update while keeping an eye on one of the most important pieces of their passing game. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Faces One Huge O-Line Decision Before Florida State
Max Buchanans absence has turned one of Miamis most important offensive line spots into a real week-to-week puzzle. The Hurricanes starting right guard is out for an extended period after surgery, and with Florida State looming, Mario Cristobal and his staff are sorting through a few very different options to keep the interior line intact.
Sophomores Seuseu Alofaituli and Jackson Cantwell are in the mix, along with redshirt junior Jamal Meriweather, giving Miami a blend of upside and experience to weigh at a critical moment. The staff still has time to settle on a starter before the rivalry game, but this is the kind of late-week decision that can shape everything from protection to run-game rhythm. [Read more 🡒]