In a storied rivalry clash on Saturday night, the No. 6 Miami Hurricanes asserted their dominance with a 36-14 victory over the struggling Florida State Seminoles. Miami quarterback Cam Ward threw for 208 yards and caught an 8-yard touchdown pass, while running back Damien Martinez contributed 148 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, helping Miami (8-0, 4-0 ACC) snap a three-game losing streak to the Seminoles and maintain their undefeated season. Andres Borregales’ steady leg added three field goals, further underscoring Miami’s control over the game.
The Hurricanes, who improved to 4-0 against in-state competition this season with wins over Florida, Florida A&M, South Florida, and now Florida State, held a firm grip on the game from the start. The Seminoles (1-7, 1-6 ACC), coming off a season as ACC champions with a 13-0 record, faced their fifth losing season in seven years under head coach Mike Norvell. Freshman quarterback Luke Kromenhoek tried to inject life into the Seminole offense but ultimately fell short as Miami’s defense thwarted FSU’s comeback efforts.
Miami set the tone early when sophomore running back Mark Fletcher Jr. capped a 67-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. It was an emotional moment for Fletcher, who honored his late father by kneeling and pointing to the sky after crossing the goal line. Martinez extended Miami’s lead with an 18-yard run early in the second quarter, putting the Hurricanes up 14-0. Though the offense would not find the end zone again until late in the fourth quarter, Borregales’ three field goals and a resilient defense kept the Seminoles at bay.
Late in the game, Ward showcased his versatility by catching a touchdown pass from tight end Elijah Arroyo on a play Miami fittingly calls “Texas,” given the two players’ Lone Star State roots. This connection stretched Miami’s lead to an insurmountable 29-7, all but sealing the victory. Martinez punctuated Miami’s dominance with his second touchdown of the night, a 12-yard sprint with just under two minutes remaining. His 148 yards were the second-most by any Miami rusher against FSU, trailing only Stephen McGuire’s 176-yard effort in 1990.
Florida State turned to true freshman Luke Kromenhoek, who provided a spark with his legs. Entering the game with limited experience, he quickly showed promise, converting a critical fourth-and-1 with a 42-yard run and setting up Caziah Holmes’ short touchdown to bring FSU within 14-7. Kromenhoek’s mobility kept Miami’s defense alert, but FSU managed just one additional score—a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brock Glenn to Malik Benson with only 18 seconds left. This marked the Seminoles’ 13th touchdown of the season, emblematic of the struggles that have defined their year.
The victory solidified Miami’s position atop the ACC and demonstrated their offensive and defensive strength. With four regular-season games left, Miami eyes a potential College Football Playoff bid, fueled by Ward’s leadership, Martinez’s breakout performances, and a resilient defense.
