Miami Beat Florida State 43-35 in Double Overtime Thriller

No. 3 Miami beat Florida State 43 to 35 in double overtime at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Malachi Toney caught a 3 yard touchdown pass from Darian Mensah in the second overtime, then threw a two point conversion pass to Cooper Barkate. Miami's defense held Florida State on fourth and 21 from the Miami 36 yard line to end the game.

Toney was the best player on the field all night. He finished with 11 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns, plus 31 rushing yards on two carries. Mensah completed 23 of 34 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Javian Mallory added 108 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Miami outgained Florida State 583 yards to 443 and held the ball for 37 minutes and 11 seconds.

Florida State fights back

Miami opened the scoring when Mark Fletcher Jr. ran 7 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Florida State answered in the second quarter. Ashton Daniels hit Desirrio Riles for a 23 yard touchdown to tie the game at 7 to 7. Mensah replied with a 14 yard touchdown pass to Toney, and Miami led 14 to 7.

Running back Ousmane Kromah was carted off in the second quarter with an air cast on his left leg. He had 44 yards on 14 carries. Daniels ran 2 yards for a touchdown late in the quarter and held up 3 and 2 with his hands, a tribute to Kromah and his number 32. The teams went to halftime tied at 14 to 14.

Lead changes and a wild fourth quarter

Mensah threw his first interception of the season in the third quarter, picked off by Ashlynd Barker. Florida State took its first lead later in the quarter when Daniels threw a 28 yard screen pass to Quintrevion Wisner. Florida State led 21 to 14.

Miami tied the game early in the fourth quarter. Toney produced 65 yards on two plays, a 35 yard catch and a 30 yard run, and Mallory scored on a 3 yard run to make it 21 to 21. Wisner then fumbled, and Miami recovered at its own 39 yard line. Mensah found Elijah Lofton for a 3 yard touchdown on third and goal, and Miami led 28 to 21 with 2 minutes and 53 seconds left.

Florida State answered on the very next play. Daniels hit Duce Robinson for a 75 yard touchdown, and the game was tied at 28 to 28 with 2 minutes and 39 seconds left. Florida State forced a punt, then kneeled out the clock to send the game to overtime.

Overtime decides it

Daniels opened overtime with a 20 yard touchdown pass to Robinson, and Florida State led 35 to 28. Mallory answered with a 25 yard rushing touchdown on the second play of Miami's turn, tying the game at 35 to 35.

In the second overtime, Mensah hit Toney for the 3 yard score and Toney threw the two point pass to Barkate. Florida State drove to the Miami 25, but a sack pushed the Seminoles back to the 31, a false start moved them to the 36, and two incomplete passes ended the game.

Daniels finished with 298 passing yards and four touchdown passes, plus one rushing touchdown. Robinson caught five passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns for Florida State.

What it means

Miami entered the game 5 and 0 overall and 3 and 0 in the ACC as a 21 point favorite. The Hurricanes are now unbeaten through six games and have won three straight against Florida State. This was only the second overtime meeting between the rivals, and Miami won the first one too.

Florida State entered 3 and 3 overall and 1 and 2 in the ACC, and the loss drops the Seminoles to 3 and 4. The near upset will not end the pressure on coach Mike Norvell, even with the fight his team showed. Florida State heads into a bye week with another loss to its biggest rival, and his buyout was reported at more than 47 million dollars before the game.