Picture trying to rationalize how Florida State would be in a game with Miami late in the fourth quarter. Aside from a few optimists, it was tough to rationalize.

A 23-point underdog on the road. Even in the “you throw the records out” mantra of rivalry games, just about anything — and everything — happened in a wild fight to the finish.

There were fourth-down stops by FSU. There were goal-line stands by Miami. There was a Mensah interception. And a Tre Wisner fumble. 

There was 60 minutes of regulation, ending in a 28-28 tie. There was overtime, with the teams matching touchdowns. And there was double overtime with, at last, finality.

Ashton Daniels’ desperation fourth-and-21 throw to Micahi Danzy was complete for a touchdown until it was erased due to holding on left tackle Xavier Chaplin — but the Seminoles were stopped on the redux as Daniels’ pass to Duce Robinson went up for the ball but it was intercepted by Miami’s Bryce Fitzgerald.

Final: Miami 43, FSU 35.

Playing without Ousmane Kromah, who left late in the second quarter with an ankle injury, the Seminoles responded and rallied until the last play.

Ashton Daniels completed 15 of 28 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns, including a 75-yarder to Robinson in the fourth quarter and a 20-yarder to Robinson in the first overtime. Robinson had five catches (on 10 targets) for 113 yards.

FSU (3-4, 1-3 ACC) battled beyond what could have comprehended from a team that folded eight days earlier in Louisville, where the Seminoles led 14-0 and could have led 17-0 before falling 44-20. It was a classic to the last play, but in the end FSU dropped its 12th straight true road game.

With the run game limited as FSU was without Kromah, and Samuel Singleton Jr. still out indefinitely, coach Mike Norvell again turned to the screen game. Daniels had a 23-yard screen pass that went to Desirrio Riles for a touchdown and Daniels ran for another touchdown as FSU and Miami were tied at 14-14 at the half. And in the third quarter, he connected with Tre Wisner on a 28-yard screen for a touchdown.

Mensah was under pressure by FSU’s pass rush, which often rattled him. But he still completed 23 of 34 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns for the Hurricanes (6-0, 4-0).

Miami star receiver Malachi Toney had 11 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns, including what ultimately was the game winner in the second overtime.

But the game’s momentum could have swung to FSU on a pair of fourth-down decisions near the goal line in the first half. Norvell opted to pass up a chip-shot field-goal attempt both times, instead going for it — and seeing Miami making stops. Norvell could have taken the points and given FSU not just confidence but the lead on the road.

Injury notes

Kromah suffered what was an apparent ankle injury late in the second quarter. Kromah tried to hobble off the field before he was helped by FSU’s trainers. His foot/ankle was placed in an air cast and he was carted off.

Linebacker Omar Graham Jr. also left the game with an injury in the second half.

The Hurricanes’ thin secondary took another hit when Zechariah Poyser made helmet-to-helmet contact with Daniels. FSU’s quarterback missed the rest of the drive, and was replaced with backup Kevin Sperry. Daniels returned after an extended amount of time in the injury tent on FSU’s sideline.

Defensive notes

Ashlynd Barker intercepted Darian Mensah in the end zone with 10:39 left in the third quarter. It was Mensah’s first interception of 2026. And it was FSU’s first takeaway since the SMU game on Labor Day.

Barker led FSU with 13 tackles. Chris Jones had nine tackles.

Miami went 3 for 3 on third downs on the opening drive, which went for a touchdown.

Coming up

After a bye week, FSU will play host to Clemson on Oct. 31. The game time has not yet been set.

Thanks for reading the Osceola. Subscribe now for 40 percent off to enjoy a full year of coverage of FSU athletics. You’ll also earn a gift card at Alumni Hall.