WATCH: Florida State wins against Miami following unusual college rule
Florida State took down Miami 31-28 in a thrilling finish marked by an unusual rule unique to college football that was implemented in 2013. By rule, a team cannot spike the football with less than three seconds on the game clock. Miami spiked the football with two seconds remaining in the game and the rule resulted in the end of the game.
Florida State beats Miami on unusual rule
Florida State took their three-point lead with less than a minute remaining after a goal line touchdown by quarterback Jordan Travis. The Seminoles attempted to rush the ball in with a quarterback sneak on three consecutive plays, and Travis hit the end zone on their third attempt.
With only a one-point lead after the touchdown, Florida State went for the two-point conversion. Travis drew the defense offsides using a hard count, but didn’t need the penalty as he scrambled down the center to convert it by himself.
Miami received the ball back on a touchback with zero timeouts remaining.
As the Hurricanes hurried down the field to reach the line of scrimmage and spike the ball to stop the clock, it appeared that the game would end on one final desperation play from near midfield. After Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke completed a 19-yard pass with time nearly out, the Hurricanes hustled to their own 44-yard line while the referees spotted the ball.
After a moment of confusion on the broadcast where Van Dyke appeared to take a long time to actually spike the football, there was some question about if time had expired during the quick play. Broadcast cameras caught Florida State head coach Mike Norvell arguing with referees on the sideline, causing more confusion before the officiating crew explained the situation.
“By rule, in order for the quarterback to spike the ball there has to be three seconds on the clock. There were 2… Therefore the ballgame is over.”
The rule was implemented by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel in 2013.
Tensions high during rivalry game
The Hurricanes took the lead over Florida State in the fourth quarter after both teams nearly had a brawl at midfield prior to the quarter. During the break between the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth, both teams met near the Seminoles logo and stared each other down as the rivalry game heated up in the second half.
“Miami-Florida State nearly had a team brawl at midfield between the 3rd and 4th quarters,” detailed The Athletic’s Chris Vannini on Twitter. “And on the first play of the 4th, Miami throws a TD pass on 4th down to take the lead. Feisty!”
Penalties were called on both teams for their behavior on the field during the break, as both teams were easily separated by coaches and referees before anything serious transpired. The fighting spirit from both teams set the stage for a tough finish to the latest chapter of the teams’ storied rivalry.
The touchdown was the second fourth-down completion by Miami on the drive and gave the Hurricanes a 21-20 lead to start the final quarter of play. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke hit tight end Will Mallory on a route into the flat, allowing Mallory to run the ball in for the score with ease. Shortly afterwards, Miami managed to score again as their barrage of points continued.
After trailing 17-0 in the second quarter, Miami’s comeback involved them outscoring Florida State by 25 points over the next two quarters of play.