Ashton Daniels enjoyed one of the best days by a Florida State quarterback — ever.

The Seminoles’ defense also quieted a narrative — it could indeed stuff the run and pressure the passer.

Daniels set an FSU record for a quarterback with five rushing touchdowns and the defense held Virginia to 20 rushing yards in a 38-7 rout of Virginia. He ran 17 times for a career-high 136 yards and completed 12 of 19 passes (62 percent) for 183 yards with an interception as FSU picked up its first win over a Power 4 team in 2026.

"We went out there and showed our capabilities tonight and who this team really is," Daniels said. "Coming into it, I didn't really think I was going to be running the ball like that. But it ended up happening."

The Seminoles (3-2, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) held Virginia to 28 yards on 37 carries. Virginia came into the game as one of the top 40 rushing offenses in the FBS, averaging 192.8 rushing yards. FSU also recorded 10 sacks after producing seven sacks in the first four games.

There were long stretches of the game where FSU played some of its best football of 2026. FSU scored on three straight drives late in the first quarter and into the second quarter, erasing a deficit and taking a 17-7 lead.

The Seminoles seemingly built momentum off a 98-yard touchdown drive. There were plenty of big plays, notably Ousmane Kromah’s 12-yard catch and run, Micahi Danzy’s 22-yard catch and run and Tre Wisner’s 48-yard screen. Daniels finished it with a 4-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.

Virginia (3-2, 1-1) went on to punt seven times, while FSU produced four more scoring drives.

Ousmane Kromah had 17 carries for 80 yards. He has 80 or more rushing yards in all five of FSU’s games in 2026.

"Very proud of our team, the team, coaches, everybody involved with the program," FSU coach Mike Norvell said. "It wasn't just one week. It's been our process. Working to get better. We've experienced some real challenges in the early part of our season. But also seen some incredible work from our players."

Defense

Mikai Gbayor and Chris Jones each had six tackles. Jones had 1.5 sacks and he also made a critical fourth-down stop.

Rylan Kennedy added two sacks. Kevin Wynn and Mandrell Desir had sacks of Beau Pribula on back-to-back plays in the second quarter.

FSU hasn't had a game with double-digit sacks this century, according to records by the school's sports information department. The Seminoles had 11 sacks in a 1997 rout of Wake Forest.

Virginia’s best drive of the first half featured the Cavaliers in jumbo formations with two tight ends. The Cavaliers worked their way down the field on a seven-play, 63-yard touchdown drive to get on the board first.

But FSU responded by forcing four straight punts to close the half (Virginia also took a knee in the final seconds). Virginia wasn’t able to produce much in the second half.

Special teams

Gabe Panikowski connected on a 44-yard field-goal attempt, continuing his perfect start to the 2026 season.

Daniel Hughes had a season-best 65-yard punt in the first quarter.

Jasen Lopez had a 31-yard punt return in the first half.

Coming up

FSU plays at Louisville on Friday at 7 p.m. (ESPN). The Cardinals are now 2-3 after losing at NC State 31-28 on Saturday and the previous week fell at home to Wake Forest.

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