On a wild night in Charlottesville, Virginia stunned the college football world, outlasting No. 8 Florida State 46–38 in double overtime. The win was sealed not by heroics alone, but by a mix of clutch execution, late miscues, and sheer resilience.
Early Momentum, Early Mistakes
Virginia struck first. Two early turnovers by Florida State provided the Cavaliers a fast 14–0 lead. They converted those errors into points quickly and set the tone for what would become a rollercoaster of a game.
Florida State refused to fold. Behind a potent aerial attack and effective scrambling by their quarterback, the Seminoles clawed back. At halftime, both teams were tied at 21. By the end of regulation, they were deadlocked at 28 — the stage was set for overtime drama.
Overtime & Clutch Moments
The first overtime was tentative, with both teams settling for field goals. But in the second extra period, Virginia seized the moment. Chandler Morris broke free for a 4-yard touchdown run to take the lead. Then, with the game hanging in the balance, he connected with Trell Harris for the two-point conversion, pushing the Cavaliers ahead.
Florida State got their shot. But on third down in the end zone, a pass to Duce Robinson was bobbled and ruled incomplete. Down 4th-and-12 from the 27, quarterback Tommy Castellanos launched a desperate heave — only for Virginia’s Ja’Son Prevard to intercept it and turn the game on its head. The field erupted as Cavaliers fans poured onto the turf.
Heroes, Stats & Turning Points
- Chandler Morris (Virginia): He delivered in every dimension — three rushing touchdowns, two passing scores, and the decisive plays in OT.
- J’Mari Taylor (Virginia): The ground game got its share too — Taylor rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown, helping Virginia control the clock.
- Tommy Castellanos (FSU): Showed grit — 254 passing yards and 78 on the ground, with multiple touchdowns. But the miscues punished him.
- Duce Robinson (FSU): The go-to receiver — 147 yards and a touchdown. Yet the drop in OT loomed large in the final result.
Virginia’s defense deserves credit as well. Despite FSU’s late surge, they forced critical errors — including the final interception — that allowed the upset to happen.
What This Win Means
This victory is one for the record books for Virginia. It’s their first home win over a top-10 opponent since 2005, and it could define their season. For a program looking for respect, this sends a powerful message.
For Florida State, the defeat stings. They were in position, had opportunities, and yet faltered at the end. Mistakes in critical moments — drops, interceptions — ultimately undid them.
College football is often shaped by the smallest margins. On this night, Virginia took theirs. Would you like me to also break down what this means for both teams’ postseason hopes or impacts on ACC standings next?
