Virginia Upsets No. 8 Florida State 46-38 in Double overtime, Fans Storm Field
Chandler Morris accounts for five touchdowns as the Cavaliers rally to beat Florida State; ACC fine to follow field-storming incident
Virginia defeated No. 8 Florida State 46-38 in double overtime Saturday night at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va., improving to 4-1 on the season. The Cavaliers rallied from a late deficit and outlasted the Seminoles after a back-and-forth finish that extended into the second overtime.
Virginia's defense sealed the win when Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos threw an interception into the end zone to Ja’Son Prevard, stopping the Seminoles at the goal line and giving the Cavaliers the ball with control to run out the clock in the extra period. Moments after the pick, Cavaliers fans poured onto the field, swarming the players and coaches in a raucous celebration. A fan climbed a goal post in the chaos, and at least one spectator flashed a middle finger to Castellanos as the scoreboard confirmed Virginia's victory. Under ACC field-storming rules, Virginia will owe $50,000 as a first-time offender to the Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford Postgraduate Scholarship.
Chandler Morris led Virginia's offense, accounting for five touchdowns, including his third rushing score and a go-ahead four-yard touchdown run in the second overtime, followed by a two-point conversion to Trell Harris that sealed the win. J’Mari Taylor added 99 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Xavier Brown contributed 60 rushing yards as the Cavaliers' ground game balanced a late surge. Virginia's defense also forced critical stops in the second overtime to preserve the victory.
The win lifted Virginia to 4-1, a marked improvement from last season's 5-7 finish. Virginia had not posted a winning season since 2019 and had not appeared in a bowl game since 2021. Florida State, now 3-1, is likely to drop in the rankings after the upset, ending a stretch of high national regard early in the season.
Saturday's result marked a symbolic moment for Virginia, which has faced high expectations in ACC play and continues its rebuilding under coach Tony Elliott. The Cavaliers' offense produced a balanced attack and delivered when it mattered most, while the defense rose to the challenge in the overtime periods. The immediate focus shifts to the next matchup on Virginia's schedule.
