The Shadow
TALLAHASSEE, FL. (VR) – Virginia took an early lead Saturday in Tallahassee but could not hold off Florida State, ending the Cavaliers’ four-game winning streak in true road games. The loss dropped Virginia to 1-10 against the Seminoles in Tallahassee and 5-16 all-time in the series.
The Cavaliers led 7-0 after the first quarter and held an opponent scoreless on its opening drive for the fifth consecutive game. Florida State’s first touchdown came with 11:48 remaining in the second quarter, ending a stretch of 78:12 without allowing an opponent touchdown.
Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels proved to be a major factor, rushing for five touchdowns to tie the record for the most rushing touchdowns by a Virginia opponent. BYU’s Tyler Allgeier in 2021 and Navy’s Zach Abey in 2017 also scored five rushing touchdowns against the Cavaliers.
Virginia also saw its 10-game winning streak when winning the turnover battle come to an end. The Cavaliers had not lost a game while winning the turnover battle since a 2024 matchup with SMU.
Despite the loss, Virginia continued its recent run of creating turnovers. The Cavaliers have forced at least one turnover in 14 of their last 16 games, producing 26 takeaways during that span, including 20 interceptions and six fumble recoveries.
Donavon Platt recorded the first sack of his career in the first quarter, bringing down Daniels for a seven-yard loss in his 47th collegiate game.
Da’Shawn Martin continued his success against Florida State, scoring against the Seminoles for the second consecutive season. Martin caught a 75-yard touchdown while playing for Kent State in 2025, the longest play Florida State allowed last season. His 13-yard touchdown reception Saturday was a season-best for a Virginia receiver. Four of Martin’s first eight receptions as a Cavalier have gone for touchdowns.
Corey Costner came up with a key defensive play late in the first half, intercepting Daniels at the Virginia 20-yard line with five seconds remaining to erase a Florida State scoring opportunity. It was Costner’s third career interception at Virginia, with all three coming away from Scott Stadium.
Daniel Sparks turned in a record-setting performance on special teams. His 73-yard punt in the third quarter rolled out at the Florida State 8-yard line, tying for the seventh-longest punt in Virginia history and marking the Cavaliers’ longest punt since Nash Griffin had a 78-yarder against Louisville in 2019.
Sparks averaged 56.7 yards on his punts, breaking his own Virginia record of 53.0 set last season against Washington State. He also matched his career high with four punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
The veteran punter, who leads all active FBS players with 63 games played, surpassed 10,000 career punting yards at Virginia. He now has 10,231 yards as a Cavalier and leads all active FBS players with 11,568 career punting yards and 257 career punts.
Rico Flores Jr. also reached a career milestone. His 13-yard reception in the third quarter pushed his career receiving total to 1,005 yards in 27 games.
Virginia’s offensive starters were quarterback Beau Pribula, running back Jekail Middlebrook, wide receivers Jacquon Gibson, Ty’Lyric Coleman and Kameron Courtney, tight end Dakota Twitty and offensive linemen McKale Boley, Noah Josey, Drake Metcalf, Makilan Thomas and Monroe Mills.
The defensive starters were Fisher Camac, Matthew Fobbs-White, Darrion Henry-Young, Anthony Britton, Kam Robinson, Maddox Marcellus, Jacobie Henderson, Amillio Agard, Donavon Platt, Brandyn Hillman and Ethan Minter.
Christian Ellis, Jam Jackson, TeKai Kirby and Kervins Choute served as Virginia’s game captains.
