FSU suffers Heartbreaking Double-Overtime Loss at Virginia
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Florida State fell to Virginia 46-38 in a double-overtime thriller Friday night at Scott Stadium. The Seminoles battled back from multiple deficits but ultimately couldn’t overcome a final Cavalier surge.
Virginia jumped to a 7-0 lead with five minutes remaining in the frist quarter, capitalizing on a FSU fumble that gave them possession on the Seminole 38-yard line. The Cavaliers extended their advantage to 14-0 after an interception deep in FSU territory led to an 81-yard, 15-play drive.
Florida State responded with a seven-play, 75-yard drive capped by a two-yard touchdown run by running back Ja’bril Rawls. Defensive back Edwin Joseph’s interception on the ensuing play set up another speedy score, a two-yard rushing touchdown by running back Trey Pittman Jr., tying the game at 14-14 with 5:29 left in the first half.
The Seminoles continued their momentum as linebacker Elijah Herring’s interception gave FSU possession at the Virginia 45. Six plays later, running back markeston Castellanos scored from four yards out, putting Florida State ahead 21-14. Virginia answered with a touchdown of its own to tie the game at 21-21 with under a minute remaining in the half.
The second half saw a back-and-forth exchange. A missed field goal started the third quarter, followed by Virginia regaining a 28-21 lead with a 12-play drive. FSU quickly tied it again at 28-all on a four-yard pass from Pittman Jr. to wide receiver Kentron Robinson, completing a seven-play, 75-yard drive.
Virginia retook the lead at 35-28 midway through the fourth quarter with a lengthy 16-play drive. Florida State’s attempt to respond was stopped on 4th-and-1 at the Virginia 22, but the defense forced a stop with just over two minutes remaining, giving the Seminoles the ball back.
Quarterback Jordan Travis connected with Pittman Jr. for a game-tying touchdown on 4th-and-11 with 36 seconds left, completing a 67-yard drive aided by a 34-yard completion to wide receiver Lawayne McCoy. The score stood at 35-35. Rawls sealed the end of regulation with an interception with 16 seconds left.
In overtime, FSU kicked a field goal to take a 38-35 lead, but Virginia answered with a field goal of their own. In the second overtime, the Cavaliers scored on a four-yard run and converted the two-point conversion to lead 46-38.An interception in the end zone on 4th-and-12 ended the game.
Ja’bril Rawls led the seminole defense with 11 tackles and a tackle-for-loss, while Joseph and Herring each recorded an interception. Ashlynd Barker registered both of FSU’s sacks.
Florida State falls to [record to be inserted] with the loss and will return home to host Miami on Saturday, October 4, at 7:30 p.m.on ABC at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.
