Virginia stuns No. 8 Florida State in 2OT thriller: Cavaliers throw major wrench in ACC title race with upset

Friday marked the signature win of coach Tony Elliott's tenure at Virginia. The Cavaliers have yet to reach bowl eligibility under Elliott, but at 4-1 and with a favorable ACC schedule ahead, they appear well on their way. Virginia avoids both Miami and Georgia Tech -- the two teams projected as favorites to meet in the ACC title game later this season.

Florida State entered as a 6.5-point favorite and held the ACC's third-best title odds behind Miami and Georgia Tech. The Seminoles face No. 2 Miami next weekend in a matchup that could go a long way in shaping the conference race. While FSU remains in contention for a spot in the title game, Friday's loss suggested Mike Norvell's team may have been caught looking ahead to the in-state showdown.

Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris is a familiar name to college football fans after previous stops at Oklahoma, TCU and North Texas. He went 26 of 35 for 229 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, but delivered when it mattered most. Morris added three rushing scores, including the go-ahead touchdown in double overtime, to lift the Cavaliers to a marquee win over a top-10 opponent -- the type of performance that embodies college football.

FINAL (2OT): Virginia 45, No. 8 Florida State 38

Virginia pulled off a thrilling 46-38 upset win over No. 8 Florida State on Friday in double overtime for its first victory over a top-10 team since 2023. Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris scrambled for a 4-yard go-ahead touchdown in the second overtime, and the ensuing 2-point conversion was successful.

Florida State nearly tied the game in the second overtime period when Tommy Castellanos found Duce Robinson for a 22-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone. However, the catch was ruled incomplete after instant review. On the next play -- which turned out to be the final of the night -- Castellanos was picked in the end zone.

Virginia entered the night 5-61-1 overall against top-10 teams, with two of those wins coming against Florida State (1995 and 2005). Virginia moved to 29-0 overall the last 10 seasons when leading by at least 14 points at home. FSU has now lost 22 consecutive games when trailing by at least two touchdowns.

On Florida State's final offensive play of regulation, Castellanos connected with tight end Randy Pittman Jr. for an 11-yard touchdown with 37 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.

The Cavaliers jumped out to a 14-0 lead before FSU responded by scoring 21 unanswered points before halftime. Coming out of the break, FSU missed a 45-yard field goal, and Virginia was able to go on a 12-play drive that resulted in a 7-yard touchdown run by quarterback Chandler Morris.

With the game tied at 28 early in the fourth quarter, Virginia once again went on an impressive drive to take the lead back for good. The Cavaliers went on a 16-play, 75-yard drive that lasted nearly eight minutes, which ended with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Morris to Xavier Brown.

Entering the weekend, Florida State had the third-best odds (6/1) to win the ACC title behind Miami and Georgia Tech, per FanDuel. The Seminoles will face No. 2 Miami next weekend in another critical game that will shape the ACC title race and College Football Playoff picture.

2OT: Virginia 45, No. 8 Florida State 38

It's Chandler Morris, again. The Virginia quarterback scrambled for a 4-yard touchdown to give his team the lead back. FSU will have a chance to match and send this game potentially to triple overtime.

The 2-point conversion was good.

END 1OT: No. 8 Florida State 38, Virginia 38

Let's go to double overtime. Virginia kicker Will Bettridge drilled a 38-yard field goal to extend the game.

1OT: No. 8 Florida State 38, Virginia 35

The 36-yard field goal by Florida State kicker Jake Weinberg is GOOD. Virginia can win the game with a touchdown.

END 4Q: Virginia 35, No. 8 Florida State 35

We are heading to overtime. FSU defender Ja'Bril Rawls picked off Morris with 12 seconds left to send the game to overtime.

LATE 4Q: Virginia 35, No. 8 Florida State 35

Touchdown, Florida State. WOW!

On fourth-and-goal, Tommy Castellanos connected with Pittman for an 11-yard touchdown with 36 seconds remaining to tie the game. Virginia has all three of its timeouts left.

LATE 4Q: Virginia 35, No. 8 Florida State 28

FSU will get the ball back with 2:18 left and no timeouts. The Seminoles need a touchdown to extend the game.

LATE 4Q: Virginia 35, No. 8 Florida State 28

Virginia gets the stop on fourth-and-1 and will take over deep in its own territory with 2:43 remaining. Florida State has all three of its timeouts left.

MID 4Q: Virginia 35, No. 8 Florida State 28

Virginia just put together one of the most impressive drives of the 2025 season. Virginia went for it twice on fourth down to keep the chains moving. In total, the drive lasted 16 plays and spanned nearly eight minutes. A 15-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Brown capped the drive.

Virginia leads No. 8 Florida State with 7:20 left.

END 3Q: Virginia 28, No. 8 Florida State 28

Buckle up, everyone. The final 15 minutes will be must-watch TV. Florida State just tied the game at 28 after a trick play. The Seminoles have outgained Virginia in total offense (386-324), but the Cavaliers will open the fourth quarter near midfield. Virginia is seeking its first win over a top-10 team since 2023.

LATE 3Q: Virginia 28, No. 8 Florida State 28

After Virginia scored the first points of the second half, FSU responded with an impressive drive of its own. The Seminoles went with a trick play, as tight end Randy Pittman Jr. connected with wide receiver Duce Robinson for a 4-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left in the quarter.

Robinson, who transferred this offseason from USC, is having an impressive performance. He has six catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. As for Pittman, he's thrown for a touchdown and also rushed for a touchdown off the wildcat.

LATE 3Q: Virginia 28, No. 8 Florida State 21

What a response by Virginia after forcing a missed field goal. The Cavaliers just capped a 12-play, 74-yard drive that lasted over six minutes with a 7-yard touchdown run by Chandler Morris. On that drive, Morris appeared to hit his throwing hand. He didn't attempt a pass after that, but it didn't matter. 

Virginia has 147 yards rushing against FSU's stout run defense. Impressive performance.

EARLY 3Q: No. 8 Florida State 21, Virginia 21

The kick is no good! Florida State's 45-yard field goal attempt was wide right. Virginia will take over at its own 26-yard line.

FSU's opening drive lasted over five minutes and 11 plays before that field goal miss.

Florida State will get the football first to open the second half.

HALFTIME: No. 8 Florida State 21, Virginia 21

From our research team at CBS ...

Florida State: Lost 21 straight games when trailing by 14+ points
Virginia: 28-0 when leading by 14+ points at home in last 10 seasons

Virginia jumped out to a 14-0 lead before FSU scored 21 unanswered points. This game will have huge implications toward the ACC title race.