Miami’s secondary took an early hit when safety Zechariah Poyser was ejected for targeting Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels, who was sliding on a run. The ejection came midway through the first quarter, forcing backup Kevin Sperry into the game, though Daniels returned on the next drive. Poyser’s absence adds to a unit that was already dealing with an upper‑body injury to sophomore Bryce Fitzgerald, who left the game earlier in the same quarter. The Hurricanes had just gotten healthier with the returns of Xavier Lucas and Damari Brown, but now they’re down a key player. Miami led 7‑0 when the penalty was called, and despite the ejection, they stopped FSU at the goal line on fourth down.
