TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The moment Francis Mauigoa waved the Miami flag at Doak Campbell Stadium, it felt symbolic, more than a rivalry win, a proclamation that the Hurricanes are back among college football’s elite. No. 3 Miami’s 28-22 victory over No. 18 Florida State wasn’t just another tally in the win column; it was a validation of Mario Cristobal’s blueprint ,a team built on the trenches, discipline, and a quarterback who’s quietly becoming one of the most efficient passers in the nation.
For the second straight year, Miami walked off the field as “Back-to-Back State Champs,” having now beaten South Florida, Florida, and Florida State in consecutive seasons. But this year’s 5-0 start feels different sharper, meaner, and far more complete. Three of those wins have come against ranked opponents, and for the first time since 1987, Miami has defeated Notre Dame, Florida, and Florida State in the same season.
Back on Friday, I wrote that this game would come down to three things: Miami’s dominance in the trenches, the play of Carson Beck, and the defense’s ability to control tempo. All three decided the game in Tallahassee.
Miami’s offensive line once again looked like the best in the country. The Hurricanes posted a 75.5 pass-blocking grade per PFF and didn’t allow a single sack. Beck was hit just once the entire night and pressured on only six of his 30 dropbacks a mere 20 percent rate that proves just how elite Mirabal’s front five have become. The “Great Wall of Miami” neutralized Florida State’s blitzes, giving Beck time to carve up the Seminole secondary.
Defensively, Miami’s front humiliated FSU’s. The Hurricanes produced 42 total pressures, while Florida State managed only seven. Rueben Bain Jr. (11 pressures) and Akheem Mesidor (8 pressures) each outperformed FSU’s entire defense on their own. Miami’s front seven held a Seminole offense that entered the night averaging 336 rushing yards per game and 53 points to a season-low 132 rushing yards and zero rushing touchdowns. The Seminoles, who had racked up 20 rushing scores in four games, never once broke through Miami’s wall.
Cristobal’s postgame comments perfectly captured the meaning of the win: “Being a University of Miami Hurricane means that in games like this, you find a way to get it done. It’s part of our DNA. We’re taking the toughness and brotherhood from those great Miami teams of the past and bringing it into modern football.”
Carson Beck embodied that DNA. After an inconsistent showing against Florida, the Georgia transfer was surgical, completing 20 of 27 passes for 241 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. His composure under pressure and lightning-fast release averaging just 2.42 seconds per drop back ,made FSU’s pass rush irrelevant. He completed 15 of 21 passes under 2.5 seconds, accounting for three of his four touchdowns.
Beck’s chemistry with his receivers was once again on display. Freshman Malachi Toney, who continues to look like a future star, hauled in seven receptions for 107 yards and two touchdowns. CJ Daniels also caught two scores, including a 47-yard strike on a deep post that silenced Doak Campbell. Toney’s ability to separate, track the ball, and finish plays has drawn comparisons to Tyreek Hill, and at just 18 years old, he’s already playing with the polish of a veteran. It’s no stretch to say he’s on a collision course with freshman All-American honors — and he might not be alone.
True freshman safety Bryce Fitzgerald, who also looks destined for freshman All-American recognition, was crucial in coverage and snagged an interception off FSU quarterback Tommy Castellanos. Alongside nickel corner Keionte Scott, who recovered a fumble and led the team with nine tackles, Fitzgerald helped Miami’s secondary neutralize Florida State’s explosive plays through three quarters. Castellanos’ late touchdowns came only after Miami’s defense shifted into a soft prevent coverage with a 28-3 lead.
Cristobal couldn’t stop praising Beck’s poise and preparation afterward: “He was on fire. The way he prepares, his leadership, everything about him screams winner. We’re glad he’s on our side.”
The story of this Miami team is that it’s built, the right way. Built on the line of scrimmage, where physicality defines the identity. Built by a coach who understands that swagger without structure collapses. Built to unapologetically dominate.
When asked about CJ Daniels mocking the Seminole chant after a touchdown, Cristobal made the distinction clear: “We’re moving forward. We’re not going back. We’re taking the values the physicality and brotherhood of those great teams and applying them to modern football.”
Miami’s rise is no accident. Cristobal’s vision stacking elite lines on both sides, developing a quarterback who doesn’t flinch, and recruiting young playmakers like Toney and Fitzgerald is paying off faster than anyone expected. The Hurricanes now have more ranked wins than any team in the nation, and they’ve done it while looking like the most complete team in college football.
Despite Florida State’s 19 fourth-quarter points that made the score look respectable, the truth is Miami dominated the game for three quarters. The Hurricanes forced three turnovers, allowed just 404 total yards to an offense that had previously surpassed 700 twice, and shut down the nation’s top rushing attack.
At 5-0 with wins over No. 6 Notre Dame, No. 18 USF, and No. 18 FSU, Miami isn’t just the best team in the ACC, they’re a legitimate College Football Championship contender. Beck has now improved to 5-0 in his career against Florida and Florida State combined, becoming the first quarterback to accomplish that feat since former Hurricane Brock Berlin. The last time Miami started this strong, with this kind of physical dominance, they were playing for national titles.
As Cristobal said with a smile while leaving the podium: “We’ve got a long way to go.”
Maybe. But if Saturday night was any indication, Miami’s already arrived. The U isn’t just back, it’s built to last.
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