Miami Dominates Florida State: Carson Beck Sparks Hurricanes to Victory in Thrilling In-State Showdown

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The No. 3 Miami Hurricanes continued their strong season with a 28-22 victory over No. 18 Florida State on Saturday night. Miami jumped out to a 25-point lead, showcasing dominance, especially in the first three quarters.

The Seminoles scored first with a 70-yard drive, settling for a field goal. However, Miami’s defense locked them down after that, allowing just 161 yards over the next seven drives. Florida State’s potent offense struggled, resulting in more interceptions (two) than plays gaining over 20 yards (only one).

Miami’s Carson Beck had an impressive night. The Georgia transfer completed 20 of 27 passes, throwing four touchdown passes. Freshman Malachi Toney made a thrilling impact, scoring on runs of 40 and 44 yards. Toney’s second touchdown came on a daring fourth-and-2 call, which displayed Miami’s grit.

In a last-ditch effort, Florida State rallied, scoring 19 points in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Tommy Castellanos connected on two touchdown passes and two two-point conversions to tighten the score from 28-3 to 28-22. Miami managed to recover the onside kick, preventing further drama.

A Shift in Florida’s Rivalry

Miami’s recent success against Florida teams is noteworthy. They’ve beaten Florida State, Florida, and South Florida this season, marking a significant turnaround. Previously, the Seminoles had dominated the rivalry, winning six games in a row against Miami from 2010 to 2016.

Head coach Mike Norvell and Florida State’s fans are feeling the pressure, especially after a disappointing start to their season. Recent statistics show Florida State’s need for improvement. They’ve averaged only 17.5 points in their last two games, a stark contrast to their earlier performance against Alabama. With a tough schedule ahead, their hopes of a ten-win season are wavering.

Beck’s Rising Star

Carson Beck’s relationship with his receivers is shining. He’s recorded four touchdown passes in multiple games throughout his career, illustrating his potential. Miami’s offense is gradually coming together, especially after a shaky passing game against Florida just a couple of weeks ago.

Looking Forward

Miami is now positioned strongly for the ACC title and a shot at the College Football Playoff. Their upcoming opponents—Stanford, SMU, Syracuse, NC State, Virginia Tech, and Pittsburgh—present manageable challenges, with the potential for more wins ahead.

On the other hand, Florida State must regroup quickly. Securing a few more wins, particularly on their home turf, could help restore some confidence for the team and its fans. As of now, the Seminoles need to focus on securing ball control to prevent further mistakes as they look to turn their season around.

— Matt Baker, Manny Navarro

For more detailed insights and statistics, you can visit ESPN or NCAA.

Source link

Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes, College Football