Virginia Stuns No. 8 Florida State in Double-Overtime Thriller, 46-38 (9-26-25)
By: Xavier Jones
Headline Photo Credit: Arturo Jones-LMS Network
In a night of high drama under the lights at Scott Stadium, the Virginia Cavaliers pulled off one of the most shocking upsets of the 2025 college football season, toppling the No. 8 Florida State Seminoles 46-38 in double overtime on Friday, September 26. The victory — Virginia’s first home win against a top-10 opponent since beating Florida State in 2005 — sent a sea of orange-clad students surging onto the field, turning the postgame into a raucous celebration that echoed the program’s storied history of ACC defiance.
The game, played on a crisp fall evening before a crowd of 50,107, honored Virginia’s 1995 upset over then-No. 3 FSU with throwback jerseys for the Cavaliers. What unfolded was a back-and-forth battle that showcased Virginia’s opportunistic defense and resilient offense against a Seminoles squad that entered unbeaten at 3-0 but faltered in its ACC opener. Trailing by as many as seven points late in regulation, Virginia forced overtime with poise, then sealed the win on a clutch 4-yard touchdown run by quarterback Chandler Morris in the second extra period, followed by a successful two-point conversion pass to wide receiver Trell Harris.
A Rollercoaster Ride: Game Flow and Key Moments
The contest kicked off with Virginia (now 4-1 overall, 2-0 in the ACC) asserting early dominance, capitalizing on Florida State’s uncharacteristic miscues to build a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Cavaliers’ defense forced three turnovers in the game — two interceptions and one fumble — converting opportunities into points, including a 6-yard touchdown pass from Morris to tight end Sage Ennis early on. Florida State (3-1, 0-1 ACC), fresh off a season-opening stunner over Alabama and two lopsided wins, roared back in the second quarter. Seminoles quarterback Tommy Castellanos, making his first start amid injury questions at the position, orchestrated two touchdown drives in 83 seconds to tie it at 14-14, including a 4-yard rushing score that gave FSU a brief 21-14 lead. Virginia answered with an 11-yard touchdown run by Morris, but J’Mari Taylor’s 26-yard score with 48 seconds left knotted it at 21-21 at halftime.
The second half was a deadlock, with both teams trading blows to tie the score at 28-28 entering the fourth quarter. Virginia leveled things in the third with a 75-yard, 12-play touchdown drive fueled mostly by runs, while FSU responded with its fourth score. The fourth quarter devolved into a frenzy: Virginia pushed ahead on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Morris to Xavier Brown, but Castellanos delivered on fourth-and-goal with 36 seconds left, hitting a receiver for a score and the extra point to force overtime at 35-35.
In the first overtime, both defenses bent but didn’t break, as Virginia’s Will Bettridge and FSU’s Jake Weinberg swapped field goals (39 yards and 36 yards, respectively) to push the game to a second frame. That’s when Virginia’s resolve shone brightest. Morris plunged in from 4 yards out for his third rushing touchdown, then hit Harris on the two-point conversion to make it 46-38. FSU had a shot to tie, but Robinson’s drop on a deep ball led to a desperation fourth-down heave from Castellanos that Ja’Son Prevard intercepted in the end zone, slamming the door on the Seminoles’ comeback bid.
Statistically, the teams were neck-and-neck in a shootout: Virginia held edges in rushing (201 yards on 47 carries) while FSU dominated passing. Total offense tilted slightly toward the Seminoles at 514 yards to Virginia’s 440, but the Cavaliers’ three forced turnovers (part of seven for the season) proved decisive. Virginia converted 7 of 13 third downs (54%) and went 2-for-2 on fourth down, while FSU was 6 of 15 (40%) on third and 3-for-5 on fourth. Penalties were minimal, with UVA drawing four for 25 yards and FSU five for 49. Time of possession favored Virginia at 31:57 to FSU’s 28:03.
Standout Performances: Heroes and Hard-Luck Stories
• Chandler Morris (UVA QB): The transfer gunslinger authored a five-touchdown masterpiece, completing 26 of 35 passes for 229 yards and two scores while adding three rushing touchdowns on limited carries (including the game-winner). Despite three interceptions — a season high — his poise in short-yardage situations, aided by an offensive line that allowed zero sacks, and the two-point dagger to Harris underscored his growth as a leader under.
• Duce Robinson (FSU WR): The 6-foot-6 freshman was a matchup nightmare, hauling in nine receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown on key third-down conversions.
• Tommy Castellanos (FSU QB): In this game, Castellanos was 18 of 32 for 254 yards and one touchdown, while adding 78 rushing yards and a score on the ground and a late game-sealing interception.
• J’Mari Taylor (UVA RB): The workhorse back led the ground attack with 27 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown, providing balance in a run-heavy third quarter.
• Virginia Defense: Led by Prevard’s career-high two interceptions (including the OT sealer — the first multi-pick game for a Cavalier since 2020), the unit forced three turnovers and five tackles for loss. Linebacker Devin Neal paced with 12 tackles, Kam Robinson added 10 tackles and a sack, and Mitchell Melton contributed seven stops, a TFL, and a forced fumble.
Takeaways and Bigger Picture
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement for Tony Elliott’s Cavaliers, who entered as 14-point underdogs but played with the ferocity of a playoff hopeful. Five key insights from the matchup:
1. A Statement for Virginia: The prime-time ESPN showcase elevates UVA nationally, drawing parallels to their 1995 and 2005 FSU upsets and signaling ACC contender status — their third-ranked win under Elliott.
2. Turnover Battle Decides It: Virginia’s three forced turnovers on FSU — who entered averaging 58 points and 628.7 yards per game — handed short fields and flipped momentum, a stark contrast to UVA’s own three picks.
3. Robinson’s Mismatch: The Seminoles’ big-play threat exposed UVA’s secondary at times (147 yards), but the ‘Hoos adjusted late with Prevard’s picks to limit further damage.
4. Elite O-Line and Run Game: Virginia’s front five was impenetrable (zero sacks), enabling 201 rushing yards and clock control in a game that demanded perfection in the trenches.
5. Morris’s Redemption Arc: Three picks aside, his five total touchdowns — including overtime heroics — cement him as the steady hand UVA needs for a memorable 2025 run.
For Florida State, the loss stings after a dream start to the 2025 season, especially with No. 2 Miami looming next week. Virginia, meanwhile, heads to Louisville riding high, their playoff dreams flickering brighter than Scott Stadium’s floodlights ever shone.
This double-OT classic will be replayed for years, a testament to the ACC’s unpredictability and Virginia’s unyielding spirit. Hoos everywhere: savor the chaos.
