No. 4 FSU football had to overcome some poor play and the ACC referees for their third consecutive win over the rival Miami Hurricanes with a 27-20 win. FSU hopped out to a 10-0 win behind FSU running back Trey Benson’s five-yard touchdown run and a 33-yard field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald on back-to-back possessions in the first half.
However, the FSU offense wasted the last two possessions of the first half, only managing one yard in the second quarter. Miami had an 11-play 82-yard touchdown drive to trim the lead to 10-7 before the FSU offense went backward and should have gotten called for a safety. That was one of four replays the ACC referees botched in the game.
That one was the only one that favored the Noles. Miami managed a field goal as the second half expired to tie the game 10-10 at halftime. Mike Norvell took a massive gamble and tried an onside kick to start the third quarter that didn’t work and provided Miami with excellent field position. The FSU defense held Miami to a field goal before the FSU offense answered with a field goal to tie the game at 13-13 with 9:32 remaining.
FSU missed an excellent chance to put major pressure on Miami, but couldn’t punch the touchdown in after having the ball first and goal on the Miami five-yard line. However, FSU defensive coordinator Adam Fuller began to turn the heat up with blitz packages on Miami freshman QB Emory Williams to force a three-and-out.
The FSU offense finally took the lead again on a 38-yard touchdown run by Trey Benson. After the two offenses traded a few three-and-outs, Keon Coleman had a huge punt return and scored a touchdown on a six-yard fade from Jordan Travis to push the lead to 27-13 with 11 minutes remaining.
Too smooth, @trey_uno1 #NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/7Q6Y36dwMJ
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) November 11, 2023
It looked like FSU would go on to blow Miami away, but Miami scored a touchdown on a botched play by the FSU secondary with 8:22 remaining to make it 27-20. The FSU offense missed another opportunity to put the game away and punted, which gave the ball to Miami with 4:20 remaining.
It appeared FSU got a stop on a fourth and two play, which would have ended the game, but the ACC referees missed another call.
They also missed blatant targeting calls that they reviewed. Miami’s quarterback suffered an injury on that fourth down play, and Tyler Van Dyke entered the game.
Van Dyke completed two of six passes before rolling out of the pocket under pressure on fourth down to heave a pass down the field that got intercepted by Jarrian Jones to end the game.
Jonesy called GAME. @JarrianJones#NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/MtFnjVAxjj
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) November 12, 2023
Jordan Travis finished the game 19 of 31 for 265 yards and one touchdown. Trey Benson had 16 carries for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Johnny Wilson led FSU receivers with five receptions for 82 yards.
FSU has clinched an undefeated ACC season and will play North Alabama next Saturday.