Virginia stunned No. 8 FSU in a 46-38 double-overtime thriller on Friday night. The win marked their first top-10 upset since 2005, so the Cavaliers had enough reason to celebrate. But students and fans swarmed the field the instant FSU’s fourth-down pass to Squirrel White was intercepted. White lay on the turf, caught in the chaos, yet somehow walked away unharmed, according to On3 Sports. Now, as Virginia fans broke ACC rules, the penalties may be hefty, but that can’t undo the injuries caused.
According to reports, 19 people were treated at UVA Health University Medical Center after fans stormed the field. Although details on the severity of the injuries remain unclear. And it’s not confirmed whether all were from the field rush or another incident nearby. A university spokesperson said, “The University of Virginia Police Division, in collaboration with local and state law enforcement partners, responded quickly to these events. Together, our agencies remain committed to providing a safe environment for the university community and its visitors.” So, what began as jubilation quickly gave way to serious consequences. And Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dinger provided details about that scary scenario.
On September 28, Andy Staples, Ross Dinger, and Steven Godfrey discussed the chaotic field storming at the FSU vs. Virginia game. Dinger recalled, “I was in the opposite end zone of the students, thankfully. But it was still pretty, pretty wild.” Then he described the things he saw in the student section as pure mayhem. “A man gushing blood from his nose… didn’t even care because he was so happy about the win over Florida State,” said Dinger. So, the field storming created a wild, unforgettable spectacle that blended joy with danger. But Dinger didn’t stop there.
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The field erupted into total chaos as fans went wild, ignoring every rule in sight. And Dinger captured the madness, stating, “One guy running through with a lit cigarette… you got to, like, break the rules, break the law, I guess.” Moreover, students celebrated with reckless abandon, and one woman even had to be wheeled out on a stretcher. Miraculously, no one appeared seriously injured, according to Dinger, but the surge sparked conversations about safety and control.
ACC officials, including Commissioner Jim Phillips, were at the game, and the aftermath will likely lead to discussions about Virginia’s hill and the open path to the field. Here, Dinger recalled navigating the chaos himself, stating, “I ended up running through the Virginia woods, through a trail of marijuana smoke and celebrating students, to get to my car.” The ACC announced a $50,000 fine for Virginia after fans stormed the field. Meanwhile, FSU’s QB offered a note of optimism despite the Seminoles’ loss.
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FSU QB accepts the loss with grace
The Seminoles looked unprepared for Virginia’s physical play. The Cavaliers ran hard, racking up 211 rushing yards, while RB J’Mari Taylor carried the rock for 99 yards by himself, along with rushing for a TD. So even with a makeshift O-line, Virginia matched FSU’s physicality and never let up. Although FSU QB Thomas Castellanos had his moments.
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He threw for 254 yards. His top connection was with WR Duce Robinson with 9 catches for 147 yards and a score. Despite that, the Seminoles fell behind 14-0 early. On top of that, some passes, like the crucial throw to TE Randy Pittman Jr., showed why Castellanos remains a bright spot in the offense.
He stayed upbeat after the loss. “I think we needed it. We were kinda smelling ourselves and feeling good. It’s a little adversity. I think we will respond and bounce back. This will push us to work harder and continue to play harder,” he said. Despite the disappointment, the QB’s optimism sets the tone for growth, and a Seminoles team that will be ready to respond.