MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – On a day when college football flipped upside down, the No. 3 Miami Hurricanes finished on top with a 43-35 double-overtime win over the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday night.
The 71st meeting of the historic Sunshine State rivalry went down to the last snap.
CARDIAC CANES!!!! pic.twitter.com/jZA962hzWO
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) October 18, 2026
Entering the fourth quarter, the Hurricanes were trailing 21-14 as the Seminoles scored 14 unanswered points. They responded with a pair of touchdowns to regain the lead. However, Seminoles star and senior wide receiver Duce Robinson erupted with back-to-back explosive plays, both of which resulted in finding the end zone.
Hurricanes freshman running back Javian Mallory responded with a 25-yard touchdown to send the game to double overtime. Quarterback Darian Mensah found sophomore wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw for a 20-yard catch, then junior running back Jordan Lyle gained a little more ground to move up the line of scrimmage.
The next couple of plays would shake the stadium.
Mensah found star wide receiver Malachi Toney in the end zone, who then threw a pass to Cooper Barkate for a successful two-point conversion. The 18-year-old showcased the arm talent last season. The crowd erupted in cheers; however, the game still wasn’t over, as the Seminoles had a final chance to respond.
While attempting to force a third overtime, fifth-year quarterback Ashton Daniels was sacked by Hurricanes nickelback/safety Omar Thornton, then threw an incomplete pass. For a moment, it appeared that the Seminoles were going to keep pushing the Hurricanes, as junior wide receiver Micahi Danzy caught a 36-yard touchdown, but it was called back because of a holding penalty committed by left tackle Xavier Chaplin.
In a fourth-and-31 situation, Daniels had one last throw to keep the Seminoles alive. He threw a hail mary intended for Robinson, who momentarily caught the pass until Hurricanes cornerback/safety Bryce Fitzgerald intercepted it to seal the win. The 18-year-old Miami native had to outjump a 6-6, 230-pound frame going vertical.
Rules Analyst says the correct call was made pic.twitter.com/By7v6Cq0VS
— Grant Reacts (@GrantReacts1) October 18, 2026
When asked about the interception, Fitzgerald credited his basketball background for completing the play.
“It’s my ball or no ball,” he said. “I treat it like I’m getting a rebound off the rim.”
Despite coming off a bye week plus overcoming sluggish offensive and defensive drives, the Hurricanes overcame adversity.
Mensah completed 23 of 34 passes (67.6 percent), threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. Mallory led the run game with 108 rushing yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns. Toney finished with 185 yards on 11 catches and scored two touchdowns.
The Hurricanes advance to 6-0 (ACC 4-0) on the season.
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