No. 3 Miami Hurricanes proud to again be 'state champs' - ESPN

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — After No. 3 Miami hung on to defeat No. 18 Florida State 28-22 on Saturday night, several Hurricanes players paraded around their sideline with white placards that read BACK TO BACK STATE CHAMPS!

Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa took the Miami flag in the corner of the end zone facing the fans, waved it around and acted like he was planting it, though he quickly lifted it before it pierced the grass. Miami coach Mario Cristobal celebrated, too, pointing at the fans close to the visiting team tunnel, flashing the U.

Rivalry games always mean more, especially on this evening, when Miami and Florida State squared off as ranked teams for the first time since 2016. The Hurricanes jumped out to a 28-3 fourth-quarter lead thanks to big-time plays from quarterback Carson Beck and receivers Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels, and it was just enough to hold off a furious Florida State late-game rally.

As a result, Miami beat USF, Florida and Florida State in consecutive seasons and is now 5-0 for consecutive seasons, too. The key difference this year is three of the first five wins came against ranked opponents.

Asked about the state champs sign and why calling themselves that is so meaningful, Cristobal said, «It's such a big deal. I played here, and I know what it means to play in this game, especially up here in Tallahassee, and what a victory means. It lasts an entire year. Being a University of Miami Hurricane means that this game, you find a way to get it done. It's always been part of the DNA.»

The DNA of this team certainly resembles that of Miami championship teams past: dominance up front with an aggression and physicality that wears down opponents. Through three quarters, anyway, Miami did that on defense.