Duce Robinson had a massive game against Virginia on Friday, but it's the one catch he couldn't come up with that proved to be the difference in a 46-38 overtime loss to the Cavaliers.
In the second overtime, FSU faced a 3rd and 7 from Virginia's 22 and Tommy Castellanos threw a perfect pass down the sidelines that connected with Robinson in stride for what should have been an easy touchdown.
But Robinson failed to bring the ball in cleanly and continued to juggle the catch until he was near the back of the end zone when he finally got control of it. The officials on the field ruled it a touchdown. However, the ACC replay officials looked at the play multiple times before deciding that Robinson continued to bobble the ball as he ran through the end zone. But was it the right call?
Was this a Touchdown in the UVA-FSU game did Florida State get robbed?! pic.twitter.com/v0kqT8h1Rt
— The cfb lliason (@realfbllliason) September 27, 2025
FSU fans wonder if there was enough evidence to overturn the call
The original call on the field was a touchdown, which means that replay has to show conclusive evidence that the original call was incorrect. Because ESPN has access to the ACC Gameday Operations Center, we can see what the replay officials are looking at and hear what they are saying.
The replay official said:
""We're going to try to see that there is control...He's still moving [the ball] here...still moving...bring that back...moving...still moving...and then first step out of bounds. Do we agree that there's no control until he gets out [of bounds]? Yes. Are we all in agreement? Yes."ACC Replay Official on ESPN broadcast
"
And the decision was made to overturn the call. FSU was then whistled for a false start and failed to convert the 4th-and-12 when Castellanos' throw to the end zone was intercepted.
Some fans questioned the decision to overturn the original call, wondering if the review was decisive.
You cannot tell me there was enough evidence to 100% say Duce Robinson didn't have possession with his right foot in bounds. Absolutely insane decision to overturn the decision on the field. Not completely the refs/replays fault because FSU couldn't stop a run all night
— Derrick (@Derrick_Meacham) September 27, 2025
Another fan wondered if Robinson had already completed the process of a catch and deserved credit for that and another fan simply said that Robinson should've been able to catch a well-thrown ball.
You can say Duce Robinson caught it, you can say the refs got the call wrong.
— Craig Cambron (@WayofCraig) September 27, 2025
I say catch the perfectly thrown ball to you.
At the end of the day, the call was made, and it was the pivotal play in ending FSU's dreams of an undefeated season. Was that the reason for the Seminoles loss? Not completely. FSU had plenty of opportunities to win this game. But you hate to see the replay officials decide it.