43-35: Miami Outlasts Florida State in Double Overtime

Miami defeated Florida State 43-35 in double overtime on Saturday night in Miami Gardens, Florida, after officials ruled that a Seminoles safety intercepted a second Hail Mary attempt in the final seconds, according to ESPN. The result keeps the third-ranked Hurricanes unbeaten and in position to move to No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25, ESPN reported.

What happened on Florida State's two Hail Mary attempts?

Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels completed a 36-yard throw to Micahi Danzy in the corner of the end zone that would have tied the score in double overtime, ESPN reported. The play was negated by a holding call. On the Seminoles' next and final possession, Daniels threw a 46-yard pass toward 6-foot-6 receiver Duce Robinson. Miami safety Bryce Fitzgerald rose with Robinson for the ball, and the two players landed in a tangle fighting for possession, according to ESPN. Officials ruled the play an interception on the field, and a brief replay review upheld the call, ending the game.

How did Miami win in double overtime?

Miami's winning score came on a touchdown pass from quarterback Darian Mensah to Malachi Toney in the second overtime period, ESPN reported. The Hurricanes held on defense after Florida State's two Hail Mary attempts failed to produce a tying score, closing out the 43-35 victory.

What did Miami's coach say about the finish?

Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal credited Fitzgerald's hands at the game's deciding moment.

"I thought Bryce snatched that thing and pulled it into his lap," Cristobal said, according to ESPN. "But I know we've sat in this stadium before on a couple of those, so let's try not to make that a habit going forward."

Cristobal's reference was to a 2024 game against Virginia Tech, when Miami also survived a Hail Mary attempt in the opposite end zone after a touchdown called on the field was overturned by replay, ESPN reported. That season marked the start of Miami's rise in the Atlantic Coast Conference; the Hurricanes are now favored to win the league and reach the College Football Playoff, according to ESPN.

By the numbers

• 43-35 — final score, Miami over Florida State, in double overtime
• 2 — overtime periods needed to decide the game
• 36 — yards on Florida State's first Hail Mary completion, later negated by a holding penalty
• 46 — yards on Florida State's second and final Hail Mary attempt, ruled an interception
• 6-foot-6 — height of Florida State receiver Duce Robinson, who contested the game-ending pass

What does the win mean for Miami's ranking?

Miami entered the game ranked third in the AP Top 25 and is positioned to move to No. 1 following the result, ESPN reported. The Hurricanes remain unbeaten and are described by ESPN as the favorite to win the ACC and qualify for the College Football Playoff.

What is a Hail Mary, and what counts as double overtime?

A Hail Mary is a long, often desperate forward pass thrown as time expires, aimed into or near the end zone in hopes that a receiver can catch it for a score. Double overtime refers to a game tied after one extra period, requiring a second extra period to determine a winner. In Saturday's game, Florida State attempted two separate Hail Mary passes in the second overtime period alone, both in an effort to extend the contest further, according to ESPN's account of the game.

Florida State's loss leaves the Seminoles searching for answers after mounting a comeback that forced two overtime periods only to fall short on the final defensive stand, ESPN reported. No statement from Florida State's coaching staff was included in the ESPN account beyond the on-field outcome.

The full ESPN report, including additional game detail from Miami Gardens, is available here.

Glossary of terms in this game

• Overtime period — An extra session played when a game is tied after regulation, with each team given a possession to score; ties after one period send the game to another.
• Replay review — An official process in which game officials examine video evidence of a disputed play, such as a potential interception or touchdown, before confirming or reversing the on-field ruling.
• ACC — The Atlantic Coast Conference, the league in which both Miami and Florida State compete, and which ESPN reported Miami is favored to win this season.
• College Football Playoff — The postseason bracket that determines the sport's national champion, which ESPN reported Miami is positioned to reach following Saturday's win.

Quotags is A quote-card app first shipped in 2013. Version 2.0 is returning soon — do not install an old binary.