Virginia Cavaliers stun No. 8 Florida State in overtime, field storm sparks safety concerns

Virginia Cavaliers stunned No. 8 Florida State 46-38 in overtime Friday night, sealing a historic upset as thousands of fans stormed the field in celebration. The finish came after a tense sequence in which Virginia preserved the win in regulation and then closed out overtime against a ranked opponent, turning the postgame scene into a moment of jubilation and concern.

With Florida State driving in the final seconds of regulation, Virginia safety Ja'Son Prevard intercepted a pass from Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos to end the Seminoles’ threat and secure the Cavaliers’ victory. The interception capped a dramatic turn of events, and the Cavaliers began to celebrate on the field as soon as the catch was made. A Florida State wide receiver, the intended target on the play, stood near Prevard when the ball was picked off and was quickly engulfed by the surrounding celebration. The moment was captured in clips that quickly circulated online and drew nationwide attention to the postgame scene.

The field-storming created an immediate safety concern, as thousands of Cavaliers fans surged onto the touchline and into the end zone. Players, coaches, and officials had to navigate the crowded sidelines as the celebration continued, highlighting the risks that accompany sudden, large-scale crowd activity after a dramatic finish. While the notes do not specify any confirmed injuries, observers described the moment as potentially dangerous for those involved on the field and in close proximity to the celebration.

The incident has gone viral, with video of the moment circulating across social media and sports outlets. The victory over the eighth-ranked Florida State was described in notes as a historic win for Virginia, underscoring the magnitude of the upset for a program that had not previously secured such a result against a top-10 opponent in this matchup era. The postgame scene prompted discussions about how large crowds are managed after big wins and what steps schools might take to ensure player safety without dampening the celebration. As more details emerged, the focus remained on the events that followed the final play and the rapid spread of video showing thousands of Cavaliers fans taking to the field.