FOCUS ON FLORIDA: WEEKEND PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
Updated: Oct 31
The weekend delivered a mixed set of results for Florida’s college football programs, with fortunes varying depending on conferences and matchups. Miami, Florida State, and FIU recorded wins, while South Florida, UCF, Florida Atlantic, and Florida all suffered defeats. Here is a complete breakdown of each team’s performance.
FIU: Overtime win against Liberty
In Miami, Florida International pulled out a tight victory over Liberty, winning 34–27 in overtime. Joe Pesansky completed 24 of his 34 passes for 206 yards, including a decisive 7-yard touchdown throw to Maguire Anderson in the extra period. Earlier in the game, he also scored a rushing touchdown.
The defense sealed the win with an interception by Mister Clark, picking off an Ethan Vasko pass under pressure. Vasko, who finished with 218 yards (17/31), had helped Liberty force overtime thanks to two late field goals by Jay Billingsley, including a 48-yarder as time expired.
On the ground, FIU totaled 169 rushing yards, led by Kejon Owens with 84. Liberty responded with 106 yards from Evan Dickens on 28 carries, but two interceptions proved costly. FIU now sits at 5–5, while Liberty drops to 4–6.
South Florida: Offensive shootout loss in Annapolis
South Florida fell 41–38 to Navy in an offensive-minded matchup filled with explosive plays. The Bulls produced 556 total yards, including 327 passing yards and 136 rushing yards from Byrum Brown, who accounted for four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing). Brown added 17 carries for his 136 yards.
Navy relied on big-play production. Alex Tecza rushed for 126 yards on 12 carries, highlighted by a 76-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Receiver Eli Heidenreich recorded five catches for 146 yards and became Navy’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 1,794.
The turning point came after quarterback Braxton Woodson entered the game. He scored two fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns and totaled 103 yards in that period alone, including a 64-yard run that pushed the lead to 41–30. USF pulled within three but could not complete the comeback. The Bulls are now 7–3.
UCF: Heavy setback at Texas Tech
UCF lost 48–9 in Lubbock against Texas Tech. The Knights did not register a first down until late in the first quarter and finished with just 52 rushing yards against the nation’s top run defense.
Texas Tech, coming off a win over BYU the previous week, took control early. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, occasionally used in wildcat formations, scored a rushing touchdown. Reggie Virgil added three touchdowns, including two on his first two collegiate carries. The Red Raiders earned their 10th win of the season, all by at least 20 points.
UCF falls to 4–6 (1–6 Big 12) and must win its final two games — including a season finale against BYU — to finish with a .500 record.
Florida Atlantic: Missed opportunities in loss at Tulane
Florida Atlantic fell 35–24 at Tulane. FAU generated 375 passing yards from Caden Veltkamp (57 attempts, two touchdowns, three interceptions) but managed only 97 rushing yards.
A muffed punt by Easton Messer in the first quarter set up Tulane’s opening score. On the first play of the second quarter, Jake Retzlaff connected with Bryce Bohanon for a 29-yard touchdown on fourth-and-6, extending the Green Wave’s lead to 14–3.
Retzlaff finished with 241 yards, two passing touchdowns, and a rushing score. Jamauri McClure added 94 yards on 10 carries. FAU rallied with scores from Jayshon Platt, Kaden Shields-Dutton, and a late touchdown by Messer, but Tulane maintained control throughout the second half. FAU drops to 4–6 and must win its final two games to become bowl-eligible.
Florida Gators: Halftime lead slips away at Ole Miss
Florida led 24–20 at halftime before falling 34–24 in Oxford against Ole Miss. Running back Kewan Lacy played a central role for the Rebels, finishing with 224 yards on 31 carries and three touchdowns. His 19 rushing touchdowns this season set a school record.
DJ Lagway completed 16 of 31 passes for 218 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown to J. Michael Sturdivant, and added a rushing score. Earlier, Jadan Baugh had also scored following an interception. Florida, however, was held to just 103 total yards in the second half.
Ole Miss totaled 538 offensive yards. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 301 yards (26/35) and a touchdown. Florida’s defense allowed five sacks, all after halftime. The Gators fall to 3–7.
Florida State: Methodical win over Virginia Tech
Florida State defeated Virginia Tech 34–14. Tommy Castellanos threw for 189 yards (12/24) and added 45 rushing yards, scoring two touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Duce Robinson caught six passes for 134 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown.
FSU’s running game accumulated 237 yards between Ousmane Kromah, Samuel Singleton Jr., and Castellanos. Defensively, the Seminoles forced an interception and a fumble in the second half. Virginia Tech rushed for 238 yards, led by Marcellous Hawkins with 101, but failed to convert red-zone opportunities. Florida State improves to 5–5.
Miami: Dominant win over NC State
Miami controlled NC State 41–7 in its final home game of the regular season. Carson Beck delivered an efficient performance with 291 yards (21/27) and three touchdowns, including two to Malachi Toney. Girard Pringle Jr. rushed for 116 yards, surpassing his combined total from the previous four games.
The Hurricanes’ defense held NC State to 149 total yards and intercepted CJ Bailey twice in the first half. Jakobe Thomas returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown. NC State scored late against Miami’s rotated defensive unit. The Hurricanes improve to 8–2.
Conclusion
Florida’s programs produced varied outcomes over the weekend. Miami, Florida State, and FIU earned wins, while South Florida, UCF, Florida Atlantic, and Florida came up short. As the regular season nears its end, goals are becoming clearer: some teams remain in contention for bowl eligibility, others for conference title spots, while several will approach the final stretch looking to stabilize their performance levels.
