Florida State Dominates Virginia 38-7 Behind Big Performance From Ashton Daniels

Behind Record Setting Performance From Ashton Daniels

Florida State bounced back from consecutive losses to ranked opponents with a dominant 38-7 victory over Virginia on Saturday, as quarterback Ashton Daniels rushed for five touchdowns and the Seminoles’ defense produced 10 sacks.

The win moved Florida State to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference while giving the Seminoles their first victory over a Power 4 opponent in 2026. After falling to SMU and Alabama in its previous two games, Florida State controlled Virginia on both sides of the ball from the opening quarter.

Daniels Sets Florida State Quarterback Rushing Record

Daniels delivered one of the most productive rushing performances by a Florida State quarterback, running 17 times for a career-high 136 yards and five touchdowns. His five rushing scores established a new program record for a Seminoles quarterback.

Daniels also completed 12 of 19 passes for 183 yards with one interception. His ability as a passer had been questioned entering the game, but he completed 63% of his attempts while averaging 8.0 yards per carry and providing Florida State with a consistent threat on the ground. Ousmane Kromah added 80 yards on 17 carries for the Seminoles. Kromah has now rushed for at least 80 yards in all five of Florida State’s games this season.

Seminoles Defense Overwhelms Virginia

Florida State’s defense turned the game into a long afternoon for Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula and the Cavaliers’ offense. The Seminoles recorded 10 sacks after producing only seven sacks through their first four games. Defensive end Rylan Kennedy recorded two sacks, while linebacker Chris Jones added 1.5.

Virginia managed just 37 rushing yards on 40 attempts. The Cavaliers entered the game ranked among the top 40 rushing teams in the FBS, averaging 192.8 yards per game on the ground. The constant pressure also limited Pribula’s effectiveness. He completed just 14 of 32 passes for 168 yards while spending much of the afternoon under pressure.

Virginia Struggles on the Road

Virginia’s only touchdown came in the first quarter when Da’Shawn Martin caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Pribula. The Cavaliers were unable to generate another sustained offensive threat against Florida State’s defense.

Virginia fell to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in ACC play and lost its first true road game of the season. The Cavaliers have now won just one of their last 11 road games in the series against Florida State. Florida State, meanwhile, finally put together a complete performance after its difficult stretch against SMU and Alabama.

Next Games for Florida State and Virginia

Virginia will return home Saturday to host Syracuse as it looks to rebound from the loss. Florida State will hit the road Friday night for an ACC matchup at Louisville, with the Seminoles looking to build on the momentum from their convincing victory over the Cavaliers.