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The Florida State–Miami football rivalry is an American
college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States. Unlike most ...
rivalry A rivalry is the state of two people or groups engaging in a lasting competitive relationship. Rivalry is the "against each other" spirit between two competing sides. The relationship itself may also be called "a rivalry", and each participant o ...
between the
Florida State Seminoles football The Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University (variously Florida State or FSU) in the sport of American football. The Seminoles compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Colle ...
team of
Florida State University Florida State University (FSU) is a public research university in Tallahassee, Florida. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida. Founded in 1851, it is located on the oldest continuous site of higher education in the st ...
and
Miami Hurricanes football The Miami Hurricanes football team represents the University of Miami in college football. The Hurricanes compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Coastal Division of the Atlanti ...
team of the
University of Miami The University of Miami (UM, UMiami, Miami, U of M, and The U) is a private research university in Coral Gables, Florida. , the university enrolled 19,096 students in 12 colleges and schools across nearly 350 academic majors and programs, incl ...
. Since the late 1980s, one or both squads have been highly ranked entering the game, adding national championship implications to an already heated rivalry. Kicks have played an important role in the series with many wide right, wide left, blocks and other mistakes occurring with the game in the balance. Miami leads the series 35–32 through the 2022 season. The series has consistently drawn very high television ratings with the 2006 game being the most-watched college football game—regular-season or postseason—in
ESPN ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The ...
history, and the 2009 and 1994 meetings being the second- and fifth-most watched regular season games, respectively.


Notable games


1963: Seminoles Stun Mira and Gus' Dream Team

In one of the season's biggest shockers, FSU stunned Miami 24–0, in the season opener for both squads. Miami quarterback, George Mira, had been the cover boy for Sports Illustrated's 1963 college football preseason preview. Miami head coach Andy Gustafson, who had been named athletic director in the spring, put off retirement for a year to coach what most pro scouts believed was the best quarterback in all of college football. On this night, however, Steve Tensi and Fred Biletnikoff were the stars and Florida State made its first real appearance on the national stage. This win marked the first of seven straight wins by the Seminoles and the longest winning streak in the series. All of the Seminoles' wins came on Miami's home turf, the Orange Bowl.


1987: Going for the win

FSU and Miami played an epic game in 1987. This game had more future NFL players on the field than any game played in CFB history. Both teams were ranked in the top 4. FSU jumped out to a 19–3 lead. FSU led until Miami came back in the 4th quarter to take a 26–19 lead. FSU scored a touchdown with 42 seconds left. FSU could tie with the extra point, but Bowden decided to go for the win. The pass was broken up and the Noles lost 26–25 to the Canes. Miami would go on to win the program's second national championship.


1989: FSU Beats the National Champions

Florida State beat Miami 24–10 as Miami was missing their starting QB and was forced to play freshman
Gino Toretta Gino Louis Torretta (born August 10, 1970) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons. He played college football at the University of Miami, won the Heisman Trophy in 1992, an ...
(Gino went on to win the National Championship in '91 & Heisman trophy in '92). However, Miami's defense was the strength of the team having given up an average of only eight points a game in the six games Miami played before facing FSU, so Toretta was not the reason FSU's offense scored 24 points on their defense. Miami went on to win the National Championship upon
Craig Erickson Craig Neil Erickson (born May 17, 1969) is a former professional quarterback who was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 1991 NFL Draft and also by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. H ...
's return. FSU did not compete for it, as they suffered two losses at the beginning of the season to a Brett Favre led Southern Miss and Clemson. Prior to the game, University of Miami mascot
Sebastian the Ibis Sebastian the Ibis is the mascot for the Miami Hurricanes of anthropomorphic_American_white_ibis.html" ;"title="iami_University._He_is_an_Anthropomorphism.html" "title="iami_University.html" ;"title=" _[Miami_University._He_is__...
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was tackled by a group of police officers for attempting to put out Osceola and Renegade">Chief Osceola's flaming spear. Sebastian was wearing a fireman’s helmet and yellow raincoat and holding a fire extinguisher. When a police officer attempted to grab the fire extinguisher, the officer was sprayed in the chest. Sebastian was handcuffed by four officers but ultimately released. Miami quarterback Gino Torretta, who started the game in place of injured Craig Erickson, told
ESPN ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The ...
, "Even if we weren't bad boys, it added to the mystique that, 'Man, look, even their mascot's getting arrested.'"


1991: Wide Right I

After being called a "key persona" by Keith Jackson for hitting his third field goal of the game, Florida State kicker Gerry Thomas missed a field goal to the right with less than a minute left, and the top-ranked Seminoles lost in Tallahassee to the second-ranked Hurricanes, 17–16. Miami went on to split the national championship with the
University of Washington The University of Washington (UW, simply Washington, or informally U-Dub) is a public research university in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1861, Washington is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast; it was established in Seattle a ...
, and Florida State finished the season 11–2, ending it by winning the
Cotton Bowl Classic The Cotton Bowl Classic (also known as the Cotton Bowl) is an American college football bowl game that has been held annually in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex since January 1, 1937. The game was originally played at its namesake stadium i ...
against
Texas A&M University Texas A&M University (Texas A&M, A&M, or TAMU) is a public, land-grant, research university in College Station, Texas. It was founded in 1876 and became the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System in 1948. As of late 2021, T ...
.


1992: Wide Right II

Seminole placekicker Dan Mowrey missed a field goal to the right, and the 1992 Seminoles lost to the
Hurricanes A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depend ...
in Miami, 19–16. Miami took an undefeated record to the
Sugar Bowl The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in New Orleans, Louisiana. Played annually since January 1, 1935, it is tied with the Orange Bowl and Sun Bowl as the second-oldest bowl games in the country, surpassed onl ...
, but lost the national championship to
Alabama Crimson Tide The Alabama Crimson Tide refers to the intercollegiate athletic varsity teams that represent the University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide teams compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I as a mem ...
. Florida State did not lose again, and finished the season ranked second, after Alabama, in both major polls.


2000: Wide Right III

Miami took a 27–24 lead after a
Ken Dorsey Kenneth Simon Dorsey (born April 22, 1981) is an American football coach and former quarterback who is the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Miami, ...
touchdown pass to
Jeremy Shockey Jeremy Charles Shockey (born August 18, 1980) is a former American football tight end. He played college football at the University of Miami and was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft. The winner of the fir ...
, but Seminole quarterback and 2000
Heisman Trophy The Heisman Memorial Trophy (usually known colloquially as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman) is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard ...
winner
Chris Weinke Christopher Jon Weinke (born July 31, 1972) is an American football coach, former professional football player, and former professional baseball player. After spending six years in the Toronto Blue Jays minor league baseball system, he enrolle ...
moved the Seminoles into field goal range during a last minute drive in Miami's
Orange Bowl The Orange Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Miami metropolitan area. It has been played annually since January 1, 1935, making it, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Sun Bowl, the second-oldest bowl game in th ...
stadium. Florida State kicker Matt Munyon missed a field goal attempt again to the right to seal the Hurricanes' victory. Controversy erupted later in the season when the Seminoles were ranked higher by the BCS and picked to play in the
Orange Bowl The Orange Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Miami metropolitan area. It has been played annually since January 1, 1935, making it, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Sun Bowl, the second-oldest bowl game in th ...
against
Oklahoma Oklahoma (; Choctaw language, Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the nor ...
for the national championship despite Miami being ranked higher in both the
AP Poll The Associated Press poll (AP poll) provides weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling 62 sportswriters and broadca ...
and
Coaches Poll The Coaches Poll is a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football, Division I college basketball, and Division I college baseball teams. The football version of the poll has been known officially ...
. The Seminoles lost to the Sooners 13–2, while the Hurricanes defeated
Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
37–20 in the
Sugar Bowl The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in New Orleans, Louisiana. Played annually since January 1, 1935, it is tied with the Orange Bowl and Sun Bowl as the second-oldest bowl games in the country, surpassed onl ...
. Miami would finish #2 in the polls that year.


2002: Wide Left I

The defending champion Hurricanes staged a comeback against the underdog Seminoles to take a 28–27 lead with only minutes left in the game in Miami. The Seminoles drove down the field to give kicker
Xavier Beitia Xavier Beitia (born November 23, 1982) is an American football placekicker who last played for the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League (AFL) in 2007. He played college football at Florida State and signed with the New York Jets in 2004 ...
a chance to win the game with a last second field goal. Beitia missed the kick to the left, giving Miami the victory. FSU went on to win the
Atlantic Coast Conference The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is a collegiate athletic conference located in the eastern United States. Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC's fifteen member universities compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Associa ...
title with a 9–5 overall record, but lost in the
Sugar Bowl The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in New Orleans, Louisiana. Played annually since January 1, 1935, it is tied with the Orange Bowl and Sun Bowl as the second-oldest bowl games in the country, surpassed onl ...
to
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...
. Miami would finish the regular season undefeated and then lose in the national championship game, the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, to
Ohio State The Ohio State University, commonly called Ohio State or OSU, is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio. A member of the University System of Ohio, it has been ranked by major institutional rankings among the best public ...
.


2004: Orange Bowl: Wide Right IV

This contest, a rematch of the regular season game won by Miami, took place in the 2004 Orange Bowl. In this contest, Beitia missed a field goal—wide right—that could have given the Seminoles the lead with about 5 minutes left. This game was of lesser importance on a national scale compared to the other Wide Right games, but continued the streak of Florida State losses determined by a single kick. With the win, Miami would finish #5 in the polls that year. It also marked the fourth loss in a streak that ultimately became the first time in NCAA History a Quarterback had lost 5 times to the same team, as FSU Quarterback
Chris Rix Christopher Charles Rix (born May 1, 1981) is a former American football quarterback. Rix is also widely known as a coach and sportscaster. Early life Chris Rix was born and raised in upstate New York. He is of Filipino, German, and Irish des ...
had started and played in all 5 losses going between October, 2001, and September, 2004. This second win for Miami over Florida State that season made the Hurricanes the only team to ever beat the Seminoles twice in the same academic year. They are also the only team to beat the Seminoles in back-to-back games (this Orange Bowl was the final game of the season for both teams, who then opened against one another in Miami the following season). It was the only bowl meeting between the rivals, as Miami's move to the
ACC ACC most often refers to: * Atlantic Coast Conference, an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference located in the US *American College of Cardiology, A US-based nonprofit medical association that bestows credentials upon cardiovascular spec ...
the next season would make the schools intra-conference rivals and reduce the possibility of the teams ever meeting in a bowl game again.


2005: The Miami Muff

Miami was ranked No. 9 and FSU No. 14 in what proved to be a defensive struggle. Trailing 10–7, and with one last chance to tie the score to extend it into overtime, the Hurricanes drove down the field to set up a game-tying field goal with 2:16 left. When the ball was snapped, it was mishandled by holder Brian Monroe and the ball never reached the kicker's foot. It would be the Hurricanes' turn to suffer a defeat at the hands of a kicking team mistake. The Seminoles kept the ball for remaining two minutes and finally ended their six-game losing streak against the Hurricanes and gained their first victory in the rivalry since 1999.


2006: Last meetup at the Orange Bowl

Florida State played their season opener against the rival University of Miami Hurricanes on Labor Day for the third straight year. It was also the third time the team opened their Atlantic Coast Conference play with Miami. Much like the previous two Labor Day meetings, the 2006 edition of the game was a defensive struggle for both teams. The Seminoles trailed 10–3 at the half, but held Miami scoreless in the third and fourth quarters and took the lead with a 33-yard field goal late in the game. The 'Noles preserved the win when cornerback Michael Ray Garvin intercepted Miami quarterback Kyle Wright's pass with 29 seconds remaining. This would be the last meeting at the
Miami Orange Bowl The Miami Orange Bowl was an outdoor athletic stadium in Miami, Florida from 1937 until 2008. The stadium was located in the Little Havana neighborhood west of Downtown Miami. The Miami Orange Bowl was considered a landmark and served as the ho ...
as the Hurricanes would move to
Sun Life Stadium Hard Rock Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Miami Gardens, Florida. The stadium is the home field for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL) and the Miami Hurricanes, the University of Miami's NCAA Division I college ...
following the 2007 season. FSU would finish with a 15–16 record in 31 games against UM at the Orange Bowl stadium.


2016: The Block at the Rock

Miami came into the game unbeaten and ranked 10th in the country, with a chance to move up in the top 10 after critical losses earlier in the day. Florida State came in ranked 23rd. The Hurricanes were looking to make a return to national prominence after recovering from the
Nevin Shapiro Nevin Karey Shapiro (born April 13, 1969) is a convicted felon who currently is imprisoned for orchestrating a $930 million Ponzi scheme. According to interviews, he engaged in rampant violations of NCAA rules over eight years as a booster for Un ...
scandal, in addition to snapping a six-game losing streak to Florida State. In the first half, Miami led 13–0 early. Florida State cut that lead to 13–3 with a field goal before the end of the 2nd quarter. Miami struggled out of the gate in the second half, as Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya drove Miami down the field, but threw an interception in the end zone. Florida State scored on their next three possessions to take a 20–13 lead. Kaaya led the team down the field once again, and Miami scored on an 11-yard touchdown reception by Stacey Coley with 1:38 left. However, defensive end DeMarcus Walker blocked the extra point. Even though they were losing 20–19, Miami eschewed an onside kick attempt because they still had three timeouts left. After returning Miami's kickoff back to their own 13-yard line, Florida State was able to run out the clock by getting two first downs, and secured the one-point victory.Deen, Safid. "'The Block at the Rock' Still Sinking in for FSU's DeMarcus Walker." OrlandoSentinel.com. N.p., 12 Oct. 2016. Web. 29 Oct. 2016. https://www.google.com/amp/www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-state-seminoles/chopping-block/os-the-block-at-the-rock-fsu-demarcus-walker-20161011-story,amp.html?client=ms-android-verizon


2017: The Rally in Tally

Miami entered the October 7 match-up in Tallahassee undefeated at 3–0; FSU entered 1–2, with a loss to future National Champions Alabama, a close loss at NC State, and a win against Wake Forest. The Canes, who hadn't beaten FSU since 2009, entered halftime trailing by three. Behind heroics from senior wide receiver
Braxton Berrios Braxton Berrios (born October 6, 1995) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Miami Hurricanes football, Miami (FL). He was a star a ...
, who finished with eight receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns, the Canes led the Seminoles 17–13 with only 5:09 remaining. FSU, led by true freshman backup quarterback, James Blackman, drove into Miami territory and scored what seemed to be the game-winner via a 20-yard touchdown reception from junior wide receiver
Auden Tate Auden Heanon Tate (born February 3, 1997) is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State, and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2 ...
with 1:24 remaining. Miami quarterback Malik Rosier, though, methodically drove the Canes downfield and lobbed a 23-yard touchdown to senior wide receiver Darrell Langham, who made a back-shoulder catch and lunged past the pylon with :06 remaining. The scoring play, following a five-minute review, stood. This game would end Miami's seven-year run of futility vs. FSU and against coach
Jimbo Fisher John James "Jimbo" Fisher Jr. (born October 9, 1965) is an American college football coach and former player. He is the head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies Football, Texas A&M Aggies. Previously, Fisher was the head coach at Florida State Seminol ...
.


2018: The Comeback/Wide Left II

Florida State came into the game as 14-point underdogs against Miami. After two TD passes to tight end receiver Keith Gavin and wide receiver Tammorrion Terry, with two field-goal kicks from the foot of Ricky Aguayo, the Seminoles finished the first half leading 20–7 over the Hurricanes. Florida State extended the lead in the 2nd half as wide receiver D.J. Matthews executed a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown, putting the Noles in front 27–7 over the Canes. Miami's defense then caused two turnovers followed up with two touchdown passes by freshman quarterback N'Kosi Perry to cut the score to 27–21. With 11:52 left in the 4th Quarter, Perry threw a pass to receiver
Brevin Jordan Brevin Jordan (born July 16, 2000) is an American football tight end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Miami (FL). Early life and college Jordan attended Bishop Gorman High School in Su ...
for a touchdown, taking a 28–27 lead over FSU, erasing a 20-point deficit and claiming victory after a wide left field goal attempt by Aguayo. This game would mark Miami's first win at home against Florida State since 2004, and the first time Miami has beaten Florida State in back-to-back years since the 2003 and 2004 seasons.


2021: “4th and 14”

The season was not spectacular for either team, with Florida State coming in 3–6 after starting 0–4 and Miami at 5–4 after starting the year ranked #14. Florida State was playing for bowl eligibility, while Miami was seeking to maintain a four-game win streak in the rivalry. The Seminoles came out hot, scoring 14 points and forcing three turnovers in the first quarter before taking a 20–7 lead into halftime. Miami would storm back with 21 unanswered points, taking a 28–20 lead with 11 minutes left. After a lengthy drive that resulted in a field goal by the Seminoles and an excellent defensive stop led by defensive end Jermaine Johnson II, the Seminoles had the ball with 2:09 left in the game down 28–23. After a 59 yard bomb caught by wide receiver Ja’Khi Douglas, the Florida State offense sputtered out to a 4th and 14 at the Miami 25 yard line. Florida State quarterback
Jordan Travis Jordan Travis (born May 2, 2000) is an American football quarterback who plays college football for the Florida State Seminoles and previously played football for the Louisville Cardinals. Biography Travis was born in West Palm Beach, Flori ...
would convert on a pass to wide receiver Andrew Parchment to the Miami 1 yard line before Travis would run it in himself on both a touchdown and the 2-point conversion to make it 31–28 with 26 seconds left. Miami’s push to tie the game was stopped short when refs ruled the game over after an attempted spike by Miami QB
Tyler Van Dyke Tyler Van Dyke (born March 1, 2001) is an American football quarterback for the Miami Hurricanes. High school career Van Dyke attended Suffield Academy in Suffield, Connecticut. Over his final two high school seasons he had 4,600 passing yards a ...
with less than three seconds left, the minimum time needed according to NCAA rules. The Noles celebrated their first win over the Hurricanes in four seasons and maintained their quest for bowl eligibility.


Accomplishments


Game results


See also

*
List of NCAA college football rivalry games This is a list of rivalry games in college football in the United States. The list also shows any trophy awarded to the winner of the rivalry between the teams. NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision ...


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Florida State-Miami football rivalry College football rivalries in the United States Florida State Seminoles football Miami Hurricanes football 1951 establishments in Florida Sports rivalries in Florida