Florida State vs. Miami: Five Plays That Changed The Game In Third Straight Win Over Hurricanes

Which key plays helped spark the Seminoles in their victory against Miami?

The story of Florida State and Miami is as revered and remembered as rivalries come. It’s a story 68 years in the making. It’s the story of two programs separated by more than just the 485 miles between them. The pages of their story are chock full up celebration and heartbreak, hometown heroes and future NFL stars, camaraderie and bad blood, and the list goes on. It’s a story of national championships decided by missed field goals and program rebuilds defined by wins and losses. Regardless of the context surrounding the matchup, the outcomes of games between these two programs have the power to redefine relationships, alter career paths and inspire animosity. The story of Florida State versus Miami is the story of college football, and it took center stage on Saturday afternoon.

The Miami Hurricanes returned to the confines of Doak Campbell Stadium for the first time since 2021. If you recall, the ‘Canes suffered a loss during their last visit to Doak at the hands of FSU quarterback Jordan Travis. Travis and the Seminoles converted on fourth and long in the waning moments of the game to punch in the go-head score and secure the victory. Affectionately referred to as the “4th & 14” game by the Florida State faithful, the moment served as a turning point for the program under head coach Mike Norvell. The balance of power between Florida State and Miami shifted that night. The ‘Noles ended their string of four consecutive losses to the Hurricanes, and Norvell’s Climb kicked into overdrive.

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Two years removed from that paradigm shift of an evening, and Florida State is within striking distance of both reclaiming the conference throne and competing for a national title. Travis has since merged as a bonafide star, the Seminoles garnered a host of talent from the transfer portal, and the recruiting trail is showing signs of promise for the first time in years. The 2023 season has been a favorable one for them, so far, but the University of Miami Hurricanes were determined to uproot all of that. Rivalries call for a different kind of motivation. The Canes have fallen short of their goals for their 2023 season, but they were far from discouraged Saturday night. No, Mario Cristobal’s team played an inspired game in the hopes of derailing the fourth-ranked Seminoles, and they nearly got it done. FSU and UM, in traditional fashion, came down to the very last second. 

Let’s take a look at some of the key plays that allowed the Seminoles to survive their defense of home and win their third straight over the University of Miami Hurricanes. Then, we’ll prepare to say our goodbyes to many great ‘Noles in Saturday’s home finale against North Alabama.

1. Running Back Trey Benson Gives FSU Early Lead With 5-Yard Rushing TD

Vegas oddsmakers, college football experts, and national media pundits alike all expected a dominant performance from the Seminoles, and they appeared to be on track for just that in the early moments of Saturday’s game. Despite a punt on their opening drive, the high-powered Florida State offense was ready with the proper adjustments their second time out. Quarterback Jordan Travis and running back Trey Benson combined to make quick work of the Miami defense. On 3rd & 1 from the MIA 46, Travis pitched the ball to Benson on the option. The back stutter-stepped, dodged a tackle and made his way out to the sideline. He neared the sidelined and planted his foot in the ground before surging into the open field and taking the ball all the way into the end zone. Just like that, the Seminoles were on the board, or so it appeared. Upon further review, Benson just barely stepped out of bounds, and his 7-point swing became a 7 yard gain.

The unfavorable review did not stop FSU’s charge downfield. Five plays later, the ‘Noles were in the red zone and knocking on the door. Travis found tight end Jaheim Bell for a gain of 9 on 2nd & 5 to set the Seminoles up on the MIA 7 with a fresh set of downs. Benson followed that up with a hard-fought run for a short 2 yard gain on 1st & Goal. On 2nd & Goal, Benson received the handoff up the middle and tumbled his way into the end zone (with a little help from offensive lineman Bless Harris). Just a few short plays after getting his touchdown called back, Benson found his way in once more to cap off a 10 play, 55 yard drive and give Florida State the early 7-0 lead. And, the explosive back was far from finished in the day.

2. Trey Benson Torches Yhe Miami Defense En Route To Second Rushing TD

For the remainder of the first half, Florida State and Miami traded blows. The Seminoles extended their lead to 10 behind a Ryan Fitzgerald 33 yarder, but the ‘Canes quickly equalized with a touchdown Jacolby George touchdown and an Andres Borregales field goal as time expired. When the teams returned from the halftime break, it was more of the same for these two. Norvell tried to catch the Hurricanes off-guard with an onside kick to open the second half, but they were not fooled. Instead, UM pushed the ball into FSU territory and took their first lead of the game at 13-10 on the back of a Borregales 51 yard field goal. On the ensuing drive, Travis hit wide receiver Ja’Khi Douglas over the middle, and the receiver took the ball 62 yards down to the Miami 5 yard line. The ‘Noles ultimately equalized with another field goal of their own, locking the game up once again at 13 a piece.

Adam Fuller’s defense finally put a stop to the Hurricanes’ scoring run and forced a quick three and out on UM’s second offensive drive of the second half. Wide receiver Keon Coleman nearly turned the ball over on the punt return, but he was quick to be the first to fall on the muffed punt. Travis and the Florida State offense set up shop from their own 35 yard line looking to retake the lead. Travis connected with wide receiver Johnny Wilson through the air on second down for a 29 yard gain deep into Miami territory. The duo attempted to replicate their efforts on the following play, but the ball fell incomplete. Florida State went back to the ground game on second down as Travis handed the ball off to Benson. The back shuffled his feet and followed his blockers to the right side of the line. Benson made it through the second level of the defense untouched, shifted into high gear and as he came face to face with the safety, he took a sharp turn back to the left. Eventually, Benson made it to the left sideline and turned upfield. By the time he reached the 15 yard line, there was no one left to stop him. He torched the defense and followed teammate Kentron Portier across the goal line to complete the 38 yard touchdown run.

Entering the contest, UM boasted one of the stingiest run defenses in the country. By the game’s end, Trey Benson had accounted for 80 yards and 2 TDs on his own. Not to mention, the workhorse back’s second touchdown gave the lead back to the ‘Noles. 

3. Keon Coleman Punt Return Leads To Keon Coleman TD

Following the Seminole score, things once again went stagnant. Back and forth, these two bitter rivals traded punts for five consecutive drives. Luckily for the ‘Noles, punter Alex Mastromanno was having an exceptional day. Mastromanno had 5 of his 7 punts downed inside the 20, one of which bounced out of bounds at the 5 yard line. On the other sideline, the Hurricanes had the daunting task in the punt game because they were forced to kick it to the always dangerous Keon Coleman.

The ‘Canes were set to punt for their fourth consecutive drive in the early moments of the fourth quarter. In an attempt to make up for his blunder earlier in the game, Coleman received the punt around the FSU 33 yard line and immediately went to work. He dodged the gunner shortly after receiving the ball and took off running through the teeth of the kicking team. Coleman successfully navigated the traffic and was spit out into the open field on the other side of the 50. The return man made his way all the way down to the Miami 10 yard line before the UM punter, who was waiting deep in his own backfield, wrestled him to the ground.

Coleman’s 57 yard punt return further fueled the growing fire of Florida State's second-half offense, and three plays later, the wide receiver was awarded for his efforts. Travis lofted a ball into the end zone on 2nd & Goal that Coleman reeled in for a 6 yard touchdown grab.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Seminoles were stretching their legs and leading the Hurricanes 27-13.

4. UM Receiver Jacolby George's 85-Yard TD Catch Brings The 'Canes Within One Score

Miami was slowly losing a grip on this game and it showed. The Hurricanes put forth five straight empty drives since kicking the field goal to take a 13-10 lead at the onset of the second half. Meanwhile, the ‘Noles were finding ways to score and pushing the lead further out of reach. Trailing 27-13, true freshman quarterback Emory Williams and the Hurricane offense were desperate for an answer. Instead, they caught a lucky break.

With roughly eight minutes left in the contest, the ‘Canes were back on offense, staring down a two-score deficit and 80 yards between them and just one. A false start on the very first play set them up behind the sticks, and it appeared as though this drive was over before it ever began. Undeterred, quarterback Emory Williams dropped back to pass on 1st &15. He rifled a pass toward wide receiver Jacolby George, who was running a go route on Williams’ right side. At first glance, the pass appeared to be a misguided decision headed for a double-covered receiver. Somehow, the ball found its way into the hands of a streaking George, and as the FSU defenders collided with one another, the receiver had no one in his way. He took the catch 85 yards down the field for a score, and brought Miami back within striking distance.

After failing to find any spark of offense in the second half, the ‘Canes were going to have a chance to complete the comeback in the final minutes of the game.

5. Jarrian Jones Intercepts Tyler Van Dyke To Seal The Victory For The 'Noles

Florida State’s once commanding lead had vanished in a matter of moments. The blowout Vegas oddsmakers and experts were expecting was not going to come to fruition because with four and a half minutes remaining in the contest and just a seven-point lead, the Seminoles were punting the ball back to the Hurricanes. Miami was going to have a chance to knot this game up before the end of regulation. True freshman quarterback Emory Williams began the charge downfield. That was, until, the Hurricanes were quickly faced with 4th & 2 from their own 21 yard line.

Williams snapped the ball and faked the handoff to his running back, but the play was quickly blown up. Multiple FSU defenders, including defensive end Jared Verse, had quickly made their way into the backfield. The quarterback was flushed out of the pocket, so he began running straight for the first down marker. before he reached the line to gain, Verse wrapped him up by the feet and toppled him down. As the two fell to the ground, Williams put his body on the line and extended his arm past the first down marker. The ‘Canes were granted the first down, but it came at a cost. Their true freshman quarterback suffered a season-ending injury in the process.

Williams was carted off of the field, but there was still some game left to be played and, perhaps, a game to be won for the Hurricanes. So, Cristobal turned to his former starter and team veteran, Tyler van Dyke, to lead the game winning drive. Van Dyke willed the ‘Canes downfield, and two long completions to receiver Colbie Young brought their offense to midfield. However, the drive came to a screeching halt because Van Dyke’s next three passes fell incomplete, and they were once again faced with a 4th down.

Miami’s hopes for a win in this rivalry game came down to a 4th & 10 with 40 seconds left on the clock. Van Dyke dropped back to pass, but he, too, was quickly forced out of the pocket. He rolled right and continued to scan downfield while the Florida State defensive linemen were closing the gap. As Van Dyke neared the sideline, he heaved a pass back across his body and over the middle over the field. However, it was Florida State defensive back Jarrian Jones who was the first to get his hands on the ball. Jones secured the interception and essentially sealed Miami’s fate. Florida State’s offense took the field one last time. They called up the QB Kneel and let the clock wind out on another victory over the University of Miami. 

Florida State may not have delivered the blowout many expected, but it wouldn’t be an FSU-UM game without a flair for the dramatic. When the final bell rung on the 68th iteration of this better boxing match, the ‘Noles emerged victorious. With the victory, Mike Norvell and the Seminoles officially finished regular season play in the ACC unblemished and secured their second 10-win season in as many years. As the 2023 season comes to a close, FSU’s lofty goal of returning to the College Football Playoff inches ever closer to reality with every passing week. However, the road ahead still remains a challenging one and they've got a few hurdles left before punching that ticket. For now, they turn their attention to the remainder of the 2023 season, which still features one last home game, another bitter rivalry, and their first trip to the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte since 2014.

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