Miami Hurricanes Survive a Late Comeback Attempt By Florida State To Win
The rivalry that once defined college football in the ’90s got its swagger back Saturday night, and boy, did the Miami Hurricanes make sure everyone remembered why they belong in the conversation with college football’s elite.
Miami Shows Why They Deserve the Top Spot
Let’s be honest here – watching Miami dismantle Florida State’s supposedly unstoppable offense was like watching a master chef work with a dull knife. The Seminoles came into this game averaging 53 points and 600 yards per contest, looking like they could score on a mannequin defense. Instead, they ran into a Miami squad that had other plans.
Carson Beck looked every bit the Heisman Trophy candidate he’s supposed to be, carving up FSU’s secondary like it was made of Swiss cheese. Four touchdown passes, zero interceptions, and a completion rate that would make your fantasy football opponent weep – 20 of 27 for 240 yards. The Georgia transfer has found his groove in Coral Gables, and Saturday night proved he’s not just along for the ride. But here’s what really caught my eye: Beck had more touchdown passes (4) than incompletions (3) through three quarters. That’s not just efficient – that’s downright surgical.
The Malachi Toney Show Steals Hearts In Tallahassee
Speaking of stealing things, freshman Wide Receiver Malachi Toney might have just stolen the show from every other receiver in the country not named Jeremiah Smith. This kid from Liberty City, Florida, rated as the 357th best player in his recruiting class, mind you, put on an absolute clinic.
Two touchdowns, both from 40-plus yards, seven catches for 107 yards, and moves smoother than a Miami nightclub DJ. When Toney juked that Florida State defender on his second touchdown, that poor kid probably needed a map to find his way back to the huddle. The freshman made Earl Little Jr. look like he was running in quicksand.
Miami Defense Brings the Noise
Here’s where this gets really fun for Hurricane fans. Everyone knew Miami’s offense could put up points, but their defense? They have been the story all season, and they weren’t about to let some fancy FSU offense rain on their parade.
Three turnovers, including two interceptions of Tommy Castellanos, who looked about as comfortable in the pocket as a vegetarian at a barbecue festival. The Seminoles crossed midfield six times but only managed 11 points through three quarters. That’s not football – that’s highway robbery.
Bryce Fitzgerald picked off Castellanos in the red zone for his third interception of the season, while Jakobe Thomas grabbed another one when the FSU quarterback tried to force a throw into double coverage. Sometimes football is a simple game – when you turn the ball over three times against a team this good, you’re going to have a bad night.
Florida State’s Late Rally Falls Short
Give credit where it’s due – Florida State didn’t go quietly into that Tallahassee night. Castellanos led two impressive fourth-quarter drives, finding Lawayne McCoy for one touchdown and Randy Pittman Jr. for another. That 19-play, 96-yard drive showed the kind of fight that made FSU a preseason darling.
But here’s the thing about playing catch-up against a Miami team that’s firing on all cylinders – you’re basically trying to put out a house fire with a garden hose. Too little, too late, and not nearly enough to overcome three quarters of dominance.
What This Means For the ACC Race
Miami just sent a message to every team in the ACC: we’re not just here to participate, we’re here to dominate. At 5-0 and 1-0 in conference play, the Hurricanes have positioned themselves as the clear frontrunner for the ACC title.
More importantly, this win should rocket Miami up in the polls. While other top-10 teams were stumbling around like tourists in South Beach, the Hurricanes were taking care of business against a ranked opponent on the road. That’s the kind of résumé-building win that College Football Playoff committees love to see.
The Hurricanes return home next weekend to face Louisville, while Florida State will try to regroup against Pittsburgh. But make no mistake – Saturday night in Tallahassee wasn’t just about one game. It was about Miami announcing they’re back where they belong: at the top of college football.
