Florida State left Hard Rock Stadium with another loss Saturday night, but this one looked nothing like the result many expected entering rivalry week. The Seminoles entered as roughly three-touchdown underdogs against No. 3 Miami, with Mike Norvell’s job security already under intense scrutiny following a 44-20 loss at Louisville.
Instead of another lopsided defeat, FSU traded punches with an unbeaten Hurricanes team, led 21-14 in the second half and eventually forced double overtime before falling 43-35. The ending only added to the frustration.
There are no moral victories for a program now sitting at 3-4, but there were still meaningful positives, and some familiar problems in FSU’s latest rivalry loss. Here are the winners and losers from FSU’s heartbreaking loss to Miami.
Winner: Ashton Daniels answers the moment
Daniels delivered arguably his most impressive performance as a Seminole considering the opponent and circumstances. The quarterback completed 15 of 28 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 31 rushing yards and another score.
His biggest play came with FSU trailing 28-21 late in the fourth quarter, when he connected with Duce Robinson for a 75-yard touchdown after Miami retook the lead. Daniels then found Robinson again for a 20-yard score in the first overtime. The interception on the final Hail Mary will go on his stat line, but it hardly tells the story of his night.
Loser: Florida State’s run defense remains a major concern
The effort improved from Louisville, but the underlying problem did not disappear. Miami rushed for 257 yards on 44 attempts, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Javian Mallory led the Hurricanes with 108 yards and two touchdowns on 13 attempts, including a 25-yard touchdown in overtime.
FSU surrendered 583 total yards overall, making it difficult for the defense to consistently get off the field despite producing several important stops.
Loser: The final sequence
Florida State had already overcome enough to give itself one final chance. Then came a brutal finish.
Daniels appeared to connect with Danzy for a touchdown on fourth-and-21, only for holding on Xavier Chaplin to wipe the play away. Facing fourth-and-31, Daniels threw into the end zone again, where Fitzgerald was awarded the interception after a contested battle for the football. The replay official reviewed the play and allowed the call to stand.
Whether Florida State fans agree with the ruling or not, the ending will sting because the Seminoles had somehow given themselves an opportunity to tie the game after entering the night as massive underdogs.
Winner: Duce Robinson delivers his breakout moment
Robinson gave Florida State the explosive receiving performance it desperately needed. The future NFL wide receiver finished with five catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns, including the 75-yard fourth-quarter score that immediately tied the game and the touchdown that put FSU ahead in the first overtime.
Against one of the biggest opponents on the schedule, Robinson looked every bit like the matchup problem Florida State expected him to become.
Winner: FSU’s response under Mike Norvell
A loss still leaves Norvell facing difficult questions. Florida State is below .500 through seven games, and Saturday does not erase the problems that created pressure around the program.
However, after collapsing at Louisville, the Seminoles went on the road as 21.5-point underdogs and pushed the No. 3 team in the country into a second overtime. FSU trailed twice in the fourth quarter and overtime and answered both times.
That does not solve Norvell’s long-term situation, but it was a considerably different performance from the type of embarrassing defeat many feared could intensify his immediate hot-seat pressure.
Loser: Ousmane Kromah’s injury
The most concerning development of the night may have come before halftime. Kromah was carted off after suffering a left leg injury late in the second quarter. An air cast was placed on his leg before he was taken to the locker room. He had 44 yards on 14 carries before leaving the game.
His status becomes one of the biggest things to monitor coming out of rivalry weekend.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Winners and losers from FSU's thriller vs Miami