Summary
- Miami defeated Florida State 43-35 in double overtime.
- Malachi Toney caught 11 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns.
- Miami sealed the game with an interception.
Rivalry game requires two overtimes
No. 3 Miami defeated Florida State 43-35 in double overtime on October 17. Miami’s official account, State of the U and Reuters all recorded the same finish to a rivalry game that remained unsettled through regulation and the first extra period. The Hurricanes scored in the second overtime, added the required two-point conversion and then ended Florida State’s response with an interception. [1] [2]
Toney drives the passing game
Malachi Toney caught 11 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns, providing Miami’s most consistent matchup advantage. Quarterback Darian Mensah completed 23 of 34 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers reflect both the offense’s explosiveness and its ability to continue producing after Florida State answered, preventing the Seminoles from controlling the tempo for long. [2] [3]
Barkate converts the two-point play
After scoring in the second overtime, Miami completed a two-point pass to Mark Barkate. That play created the eight-point margin that forced Florida State to reach the end zone and convert merely to extend the contest. The Hurricanes’ defense then intercepted the Seminoles, removing any need for another possession and making the 43-35 score final. [1] [3]
Miami survives a demanding test
The victory protects Miami’s unbeaten position and provides a ranked rivalry win, but the two-overtime requirement also shows how close Florida State came to changing the result. The Seminoles repeatedly answered Miami’s scoring and pushed the game well beyond regulation. Miami’s passing production ultimately separated the teams, while the two-point conversion and final takeaway supplied the decisive margin. Those late plays matter more than any single stretch of regulation in explaining the outcome. The rivalry again produced a result that remained undecided until the final possession. [1] [2]
Reporting sources
- Miami Athletics · No. 3 Miami wins overtime thriller over rival Florida State ↗October 17, 2026
- State of the U · Miami defeats Florida State 43-35 in double overtime ↗October 17, 2026
- Reuters · Top 25 roundup ↗October 17, 2026
This article follows our editorial standards. To report an error, see our corrections policy.