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JACKSONVILLE — Alex Condon scored 19 points, Thomas Haugh added 17 and No. 10 Florida held on to beat rival Miami 82-68 on Sunday night.

Condon and fellow big man Rueben Chinyelu fouled out with more than five minutes to play, but the Gators (3-1) had enough cushion to close it out with the two starters on the bench. It didn’t help that backup center Micah Handlogten took a shot to the head in the first half and did not return.

Chinyelu finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds for the defending national champion Gators (3-1), who swept in-state foes Florida State and Miami for the first time in two decades.

Condon did his part before fouling out. He made 8 of 12 shots. And after turning the ball over 13 times in Florida’s first three games, the 6-foot-11 Australian was determined to play cleaner and finished with just two giveaways.

Equally important for the Gators: they hit 9 of 29 from behind the arc. Urban Klavžar made four of those. Florida entered the weekend ranked 354th in the country (out of 355 teams) in 3-point shooting, hitting a paltry 21% from long range. Nine was their season high.

Malik Reneau led Miami with 22 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out. Tru Washington added 16 points. The Hurricanes missed 12 free throws.

Florida opened up a 17-point lead in the second half while pounding the ball inside to Condon, Chinyelu and Haugh. The Hurricanes refused to go away, though, and kept pace with Florida down low. The Gators finished with a 47-41 rebounding advantage and tied Miami with 36 points in the paint.

Up next

Miami hosts Elon on Thursday.

Florida hosts Merrimack on Friday.

General Daily Insight for November 17, 2025

Small moves can unlock surprisingly big doors. As the gleaming Sun trines jovial Jupiter at 12:08 AM EST, we’re empowered with generous optimism regarding all forms of collaboration. The Sun also trines careful Saturn, steadying our hope into realistic potential. We’re ready to shape a path that leaves room for joy. By afternoon, clever Mercury sextiles transformative Pluto. They help us name truths kindly, turning potentially tough talks into agreements that everyone’s willing to support. Keep events in perspective to navigate them with ease.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

A calm tone should make hard talks easier. Trust deepens as the vibrant Sun (currently into your 8th House of Sharing) trines lucky Jupiter over in your 4th House of Inner Needs. You’re strong enough to talk about active issues and shared obligations, whether a home chore isn’t getting done or a mutual budget needs more from you both. Have patience with anyone else involved and stay curious about each other’s needs. Give them the candid information you want in return to nourish trust.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Partnerships breathe easier without harsh retorts. Your 7th House of Connections lights up as the radiant Sun embraces auspicious Jupiter, inviting a mutual negotiation that actually satisfies everyone involved. Steady loyalty helps, as Jupiter’s presence in your 3rd House of Communication supports listening. When possible, take the time to refine your words before speaking. You may practice a script before a necessary call or write down what you want to say to a friend. Aim for clarity, because kindness keeps everything fair.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

A curious question can open a helpful door. Cerebral Mercury sextiles piercing Pluto, boosting your capacity to research options and discover the facts before choosing a plan or provider. You know how to step back and look at the wider context, so a debate about recent ideas can be shaped into a calmer discussion. That way, when the time comes to take action, such as booking travel plans, everyone involved (including you, of course) should have clear information regarding what they’re paying for.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Play leads your heart to simple joy. Creative sparks meet easy luck as the bouncy Sun trines joyous Jupiter, empowering your exuberant 5th house and confident 1st house. That’s right — Jupiter’s in your caring sign! Go ahead and invite a shy friend out or share a beloved hobby with your circle without second‑guessing yourself. If plans shift, you may pivot to a cozy movie night where you relax together, free of outside pressures. When your hearth is warm, loved ones will flock to it.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Home life has a unique rhythm. Your 4th House of Security is steadied by the Sun’s trine with disciplined Saturn, which helps you build routines that work for you. Rest is just as vital as productivity — so if you’ve spent all day oiling squeaky hinges, take the evening off! If others refuse to do their part, you can explain how important it is that everyone contribute without losing your temper. Having a shared calendar could also reduce further mix-ups. Protect your nest!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Order returns in a, well, organized manner! Chatty Mercury sextiles powerful Pluto, with Pluto in your 4th House of Foundations today, energizing you to sort paperwork and explain expectations without sounding picky. Your 6th House of Daily Routine emphasizes that characteristic Virgo eye for detail even further. You can craft a simple cleaning circuit that keeps weekdays smoother for everyone. If guests drop by, you can kindly point out your house rules without awkwardness. Minor practices can save tons of energy over time.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Value grows when you handle something gently. Your 2nd House of Worth brightens as the dynamic Sun trines jolly Jupiter, encouraging a kind check‑in with your budget that supports your day without draining your bank account. Your 10th House of Status offers perspective, so you can analyze whether or not you REALLY need that online subscription. Perhaps you could negotiate a shared account or split up a monthly gift box with a friend. Respect your worth, because fair choices strengthen peace.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Your presence changes the mood in rooms — don’t worry, for the better. The Sun and Jupiter are highlighting your identity, so you may introduce an idea and set a pace everyone can follow. Your 9th House of Learning adds breadth, allowing you to back up your suggestions with grounded reasoning. If someone resists, you’ve got the strength to accept their valid critiques while resisting unnecessary alterations. Be ready to discuss potential changes to any plan. When you lead gently, others should support your authority.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Your words carry warmth and bravery. Honesty will land best as intellectual Mercury sextiles unearthing Pluto, sharpening your voice and timing so you can introduce yourself and ask follow‑up questions without sounding pushy. Your 3rd House of Communication supports introductions, letting you stay clear and friendly without adding too much fluff to your responses. If nerves are still running rampant, consider carrying something like a worry stone that you can hold onto for support. And remember, clarity is the best way to move ideas forward.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Teamwork clicks with clear, up-to-date roles. The willful Sun reaches out from your chaotic 3rd house to support responsible Saturn in your connected 11th house. Their alignment supports your efforts to define a group project, plan a party, or schedule a check‑in that keeps the momentum rolling. The rewards of discipline take time (and cooperation) to earn. If you’ve recently invited your friends to anything, be sure to reconfirm the schedule beforehand. Being transparent with one another will help everyone have a good time.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

A visible aim steadies your pace. Today’s astrology centers on your 10th House of Status and 6th House of Productivity, with the Sun and Jupiter supporting your journey to success. Whether you’re in the workplace or the public eye, you may need to discuss essential issues with an authority figure. For instance, you could suggest a modernized workflow or a more doable timeline for a public works project. If praise arrives, share credit wherever it’s due. Lead with solutions, and let success invite further collaboration.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Clarity helps your current efforts land with grace. Your work situation may be somewhat quieter than usual, with Mercury in your confidential 12th house. That said, as Mercury uplifts intense Pluto in your 10th House of Reputation, you’re potentially just biding your time to make the biggest impact possible. Once you speak up, you should have everyone’s ear. Still, keep an eye out for unexpected deadlines to spare yourself from urgent weekend scrambling. Keep messages crisp in order to gain useful support.

For the second consecutive week, I couldn’t be happier for the Miami Dolphins’ players.

Those guys earned Sunday’s gritty, hard-fought 16-13 overtime victory against the Washington Commanders in Madrid, one week after earning an unlikely 30-13 win over the Buffalo Bills, through sweat, commitment and belief.

I’ve always pointed out that this Dolphins team has an unbreakable fighting spirit. I admire that quality. These guys won’t quit, they won’t tank, and they won’t give up. All of that, and more, was on display Sunday.

I’m not certain that this team can win, say, four or five of its last six games this season and finish 8-9, or, even better, 9-8. It’s doubtful.

But they’ll fight hard in every game. I’m sure of that.

Linebacker Jordyn Brooks, a true leader whether discussing his faith or displaying his tenacity with a game-best 20 tackles against Washington, sets an aggressive tone. So does 5-foot-10, 191-pound running back De’Von Achane, who had 165 yards from scrimmage Sunday. And so does center Aaron Brewer, who told us after being signed in March 2024 that he’s “head-hunting” on the football field.

And fullback Alec Ingold, who played with a broken thumb in 2023, defensive tackle Zach Sieler, a self-made man who deserved his contract extension despite having a disappointing season so far, and a host of other veterans. Those lessons get passed down to youngsters such as rookie safety Dante Trader Jr.

Lively newcomers such as cornerback Jack Jones, who humorously has a hard time expressing himself without a four-letter ‘s’ word or ‘f’ word, add freshness to the locker room. So does equally personable cornerback Rasul Douglas, interesting defensive tackle Benito Jones and charitable tight end Julian Hill. 

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Congratulations to every player on that 53-man roster and the 16-player practice squad for digging out that win over the Commanders. It’s a fun group, and a good locker room.

Yes, I’m extolling this never-say-die virtue of a Dolphins team that has a 4-7 season record, a team that might be fortunate to be doing that well in the standings.

They got that win against Washington (3-8) by overcoming a bizarre decision by coach Mike McDaniel to forgo a game-winning field goal from the Commanders’ 1-yard line with 1:44 remaining to go for a game-winning touchdown. The decision failed. Running back Ollie Gordon II was stuffed for a two-yard loss on his fourth-down run.

But fortunately for McDaniel his players bailed him out by fighting hard to get the win. Jones had what turned out to be the game-winning interception in overtime before kicker Riley Patterson hit a 29-yard field goal to secure the victory.

It made me happy for the players.

Football-wise you know I’m not a big fan of this organization and how they handle their business. I think they have rewarded mediocrity and set the bar for achievement way too low.

Dolphins Deep Dive: Breaking down overtime win over Commanders in Madrid | VIDEO

However, I’ve always applauded the players that McDaniel and former general manager Chris Grier gathered in the past three-plus seasons. 

The players are professionals. They’re prideful. They’re dedicated.

This team is only mediocre talent-wise. The front seven has been a disappointment, the run game has been inconsistent, the offensive line has struggled, and the pass game is only a low-level threat.

Still, this team won’t ever quit.

Grier and McDaniel got this part of the team right.

Personally, I root for these players despite the way this organization has done things. 

Professionally, I don’t root for either the players or the organization. I remain neutral and objective. I’ve told you many times that I’m not a Dolphins fan. I’m not a fan of any NFL team. I consider that to be a conflict of interest.

But on a human level, you’ve got to like this plucky team.

And now things are coming around. This team might be ready to turn a corner.

They’ve won three of their past four games, they’ve won back-to-back games for the first time this season, and after they catch their breath on this coming bye week, they’ll have a pair of winnable games against two bad teams — New Orleans and the New York Jets. They could be 6-7 heading into their final four games.

The Dolphins have a good collection of players. Realistically, I don’t expect them to make the playoffs, or even have a winning record. But I know they won’t quit while trying to attain either accomplishment.

What an odd win. What a strange ending.

What a …

What the …

What was Mike McDaniel thinking?

That’s the question that keeps rattling around Sunday after the Dolphins’ 16-13 overtime win against Washington in Madrid. It’s not the normal question after a win, especially a second-consecutive win in a 4-7 season that could be used to buoy hope of salvaging pride, jobs, momentum — something from this season.

There were some Sunday heroics to talk about, too. Cornerback Jack Jones had the overtime interception to set up the win. Running back De’Von Achane, once again, carried this offense. The defense’s goal-line stand in the fourth quarter kept it a tied game.

But everyone kept asking the same, nagging question: What was McDaniel thinking with 1:44 left when he chose not to take the lead with a chip-shot field goal? He went for it on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line.

Ollie Gordon II was stuffed for minus-2 yards.

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“I definitely would not have made the call if I thought it was going to fail,” McDaniel said.

But why go that route? Was he that confident in a Dolphins offense that had scored 13 points Sunday and was 1 for 3 in the red zone? Was he that unconfident of a Dolphins defense that, too, just allowed 13 points?

Does the analytical, often-commendable mindset that made it preferable to go for it on fourth down override all sense of critical, game-situation thinking?

It wasn’t like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen or some quarterback who made your knees shake was on the other side, demanding you score a touchdown. It was Marcus Mariota. The Commanders’ backup QB. The kind of guy you ask to overcome any lead at the end.

There was another factor of the NFL’s new kickoff rules, McDaniel said. Washington’s return team is, “very, very adept at getting the ball between the 30 and 40, which would leave about 25 yards for a tying field goal opposed to going 60 yards [to hit a game-winning field goal] when they’re backed up,” he said.

“Those are the type of situations you try to do the best thing with the recourse of failure.”

He added, “That was an example of a defense stepping up.”

So, credit Washington’s defense for making the play. And it did. And the one person who isn’t second-guessing McDaniel is Washington coach Dan Quinn. He made the same decision as McDaniel with just under seven minutes left.

Same tie game. Same fourth-and-goal at the 1. The time was a difference, sure, because more time means more possibilities and possessions. Quinn didn’t just want the lead, though. He wanted a touchdown and the Dolphins defense stopped him thanks to safety Ashtyn Davis’ good coverage and tight end Zach Ertz slipping on his route.

Dolphins Deep Dive: Breaking down overtime win over Commanders in Madrid | VIDEO

“We put ourselves in a position where we could finally win,” Quinn said of his team’s five (now six) straight losses. “I don’t love the result, but I don’t second-guess the call.”

So, a sure field goal means nothing in a game where each team has 13 points? Where you could get the lead in the final minutes? The field goal has been diminished more in today’s game than the running back.

You can say none of this matters, because the Dolphins ultimately won the game. But does this win, while nice, really matter in this season? Does it change anyone’s thoughts of these Dolphins heading into late November?

It’s dangerous to read too much into any Sunday, up or down, good or bad. The Dolphins whipped a good Buffalo team the previous Sunday. They squeaked by a 3-8 Washington thanks to some a bizarre closing script.

Achane was the one player who separated the day. He accounted for 165 yards, or more than half the Dolphins’ 311. McDaniel rode him hard in giving him the ball eight of the final nine plays (and on that ninth, the one Gordon ran for the loss, Achane had to come out after being momentarily hurt).

The defense wasn’t as dominant in shutting out Buffalo for three quarters. But it came up with plays when it mattered. Washington was 0 for 3 in the red zone. Jones made the interception that swung the day.

“We’re not searching for perfection, we are searching for conviction,” McDaniel said.

That sounds straight out of a personal development book. Maybe this team should read over the bye week. No doubt there will be talk about the “process,” in such a book. That was the nagging part of this Sunday in Spain.

The Dolphins won. They have reason to feel better about themselves. But the process seemed all wrong when you left wondering about McDaniel’s thinking in not kicking an easy field goal.

OXFORD, Miss. — Wearing an Ole Miss blue skirt and crimson top, Sarah Kathryn Sanders closed her eyes and blew out the candles on her 40th birthday cake.

When Lane Kiffin is your head coach, you start working every angle to keep him from leaving the Rebels. Hours prior to Saturday’s 34-24 come-from-behind win against Florida, Sanders wanted to avoid the ultimate loss to the Gators, who arrived searching for a new coach — with Kiffin atop their wish list.

“I blew out my candles and wished he would stay,” she said before catching herself. “If I tell you, does it not come true? Maybe, I actually wished he was going to go.”

Sanders laughed, holding an adult beverage in one hand and a cocktail of nerves and hope in her heart. At the entrance to her tailgating tent sat a life-sized cutout of Kiffin and his faithful companion Juice, an English Labrador.

“He’s not going to leave,” Sanders concluded. “What he’s built here, his family is here. … He can stay two more years and go after we win a national championship. Then he can go to Florida and Knox [his son and local high school star quarterback] can go, too.”

Take a pregame stroll around The Grove — the iconic tailgating playground at Ole Miss — and there are signs, literally and figuratively, of what is at stake.

At their tailgating spot at 'The Grove,' Ole Miss fans hoping to keep Florida for luring away Rebels coach Lane Kiffin told the Gators: 'Get Your Own Coach!'

A hand-painted banner reading “Get Your Own Coach!” urged Florida to find another option to replace Billy Napier.

Florida fans, including governor Ron DeSantis, made the trip determined to bring home Kiffin more than a win. A UF faithful wore T-shirts reading, “Just Here To See Our New Coach.”

But the Rebels and their supporters aim to keep Kiffin in Oxford, where he has made the No. 7 Rebels (10-1, 6-1 SEC) relevant and a winner in the nation’s top football conference. Ole Miss rode a 14-point fourth quarter and second-half shutout of the Gators (3-7, 2-5) to upend a program with far more tradition and brand recognition, among UF’s key selling points.

With the school’s first trip to the CFP one win away, Kiffin deflected questions about his coaching future.

“’I love what we’re doing here,” he said. “Today was awesome. To even talk about it right now would be so disrespectful to our players and what they did today.”

The affection from the fan base is mutual yet at times fickle.

After the Rebels’ 21st win in 22 home games since the start of 2023, the student section at sold-out Vaught-Hemingway Stadium chanted, “We Want Lane. We Want Lane.” 

In the past,  Kiffin has questioned the student-body’s tendency to leave early, show up late or not at all. Ole Miss now doesn’t want to give him any reason to second-guess sticking around.

Florida provided the perfect foil to stir passions.

“Like I’ve always said, I wish our fans would be the way they are at LSU again because they hate LSU,” Kiffin said. “So I guess we got them to hate Florida this week, so they came with a little different — not Mississippi nice like they do sometimes. That was really cool.”

With Mississippi nice has come patience among die-hard fans.

“We have high expectations, but we actually know how to lose, too,” Rebels fan Todd Morris said. “He could stay here and change the name of that stadium.”

Kiffin has delivered an unprecedented run at a place accustomed to pockets of success. The Florida win gave Ole Miss three consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time in program history

Morris has ridden the peaks and valleys at an SEC outpost routinely viewed as second tier in the nation’s top football conference.

The 63-year-old was born two years after the school’s sole national title, in 1960, and a year before the school’s final SEC title, in 1963, under iconic coach Johnny Vaught. Morris was 6 when he first saw Archie Manning quarterback Ole Miss.

If Kiffin stayed put and on a similar track, Morris believes he could become a Manning-like legend.

Kiffin has signed three straight top-25 recruiting classes but made an art of mining the transfer portal, landing a top-three class each of the past four seasons. 

“With the system now, you can win big anywhere,” Morris said.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis (left) takes a photo with UF fan and alum Melissa Zawada during the Gators' visit to Ole Miss, 34-24 winners Saturday in Oxford. (Courtesy Melissa Zawada).

Kiffin himself has evolved.

Once a prideful, at times reckless, wanderer, the 50-year-old has become a peaceful warrior enjoying his longest stint at one school.

Nearly five years sober, dedicated to yoga and health, and re-committed to raising his three children, Kiffin has prospered at Ole Miss. He also experienced the death of father Monte in July 2024 and of mother Robin this past June after the couple had moved to join the older of their two sons.

Oxford offered Kiffin a collective embrace after his parents’ passing.

“The community took him in,” said season ticket holder Dan Williams, who made the three-hour trek from Natchez. “It’s going to be something, really, if he leaves. It really will.”

While cheering their Rebels passionately, fans set aside the reality they could be watching Kiffin’s final home game.

“Right now we do, but we just want a real answer: Is he going to stay or is he going to go?” said Pat Midland, who has attended games for more than 30 years. “I know he can’t answer that until the season is over with, but I wish he would come on out and say, ‘Hey, I’m staying.’ It’ll make us feel better.”

Kiffin enjoys the spotlight and stirring it up on social media. But he is laser-focused on capping the most promising season in 14 as a college head coach.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is the brains behind an offense averaging 37 points and leading the nation in pass plays of at least 20 yards. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images)

Work remains, beginning with the regular-season finale Nov. 28 at rival Mississippi State in the storied Egg Bowl.

Upsets in the Egg Bowl, the in-state rivalry game dating to 1901, include Kiffin’s 20th-ranked Rebels losing in 2022 and Dan Mullen’s fourth-ranked Bulldogs falling in 2014 and his 16th-ranked team’s loss during his final game in 2017 before he himself left for UF.

A loss by Ole Miss in two weeks to Jeff Lebby’s much-improved squad could knock the Rebels out of the CFP and Kiffin immediately available for hire. He also could decide he has unfinished business in Oxford and ink a contract extension already reportedly awaiting his signature.

Kiffin’s decision is anybody’s guess, perhaps even for the coach.

“I don’t really think he’s leaving,” Williams said, “But you never can tell about Kiffin. He may go to Florida and leave in three years, too. I’m just saying, the grass is always greener on the other side to him at some point. It may change back the other way, but that’s the way he thinks.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Up next …

Tennessee (7-3, 3-3 SEC) at UF (3-7, 2-5)

When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday

Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

TV: SEC Network

Favorite: UF by 1.5 points

TALLAHASSEE — Ethan Pritchard led coach Mike Norvell and the Florida State football team through a sea of fans, a pregame routine where coaches and players make the trek from the buses into Doak Campbell Stadium.

Pritchard’s return to practice on Friday brought smiles to his face as well as teammates and coaches. The Sanford Seminole star linebacker was an emotional pregame lift for the Seminoles, who defeated Virginia Tech 34-14 on Saturday.

“It’s a miracle,” quarterback Tommy Castellanos said. “We’ve been praying for him and his family.”

Castellanos called it an emotional day for the Seminoles, who had their teammate back for the first time since he was shot in the head on Aug. 31 in Havana, Fla. Pritchard is in a wheelchair, but his father, Earl, said Ethan could be walking in January and hopes to play football again.

“Most of the times I’m Facetiming him he’s in the middle of a workout or his rehab,” Norvell said. “He has sweat going down his forehead — ‘Coach, they’re pushing me.’ I said, ‘Sorry, buddy, you’re built for it.’ He said, ‘Yes, I am.’ ”

Grateful for Pritchard’s recovery, FSU (5-5, 2-5 ACC) dominated VT. Here are five things we learned Saturday:

FSU’s run game was efficient once again

FSU’s coaches seemed to rotate tailbacks too often, causing pre-snap confusion early. But the Seminoles finished with 237 yards and averaged 5.2 yards per carry, with Ousmane Kromah (59 yards), Samuel Singleton Jr. (53 yards) and Castellanos (45 yards, two rushing touchdowns) leading the way.

FSU doesn’t necessarily need 200-yard rushing days but needs to be physical in the remaining games at NC State (No. 54 rush defense, 140.5 yards) and Florida (143.2 yards).

FSU’s run defense bent far too often

The Seminoles knew what was coming: VT struggles to pass and leans heavily on the run. But tailback Marcellous Hawkins and quarterback Kyron Drones were productive as they led the Hokies to 238 rushing yards (5.8 yards per carry).

A positive for the Seminoles: A forced fumble and a pair of fourth-down stops in the fourth quarter. On a 4th-and-6 play, linebacker Omar Graham Jr. and defensive lineman Mandrell Desir kept Drones from converting. A drive later, linebacker Blake Nichelson wrapped up Drones short of a first down.

Duce Robinson, difference-maker

Castellanos struggled to complete short passes, finishing 12 of 24 for 189 yards. But six of those completions went to Duce Robinson for 134 yards. And Robinson had two drops on short-yardage passes where Castellanos threw fades into the end zone to the 6-foot-6 receiver.

Robinson has made catches like those in 2025, and he later grabbed a 50-yard touchdown where he broke a tackle and raced for the end zone. With 49 receptions for 947 yards (and five touchdowns), Robinson is on the cusp of being FSU’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Tamorrion Terry in 2019.

With win on road, FSU’s bowl-eligible

FSU finished the home schedule 5-2, including wins over three Power 4 teams (Alabama, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech). Now the Seminoles hit the road, where they are 0-3 and scored just 13 points in the loss to Stanford and 10 points in the defeat to Clemson.

The Seminoles have lost their last three games at NC State, which is among the toughest places to win in the ACC. The Wolfpack (5-5) have lost three of four games but are also fighting to be bowl-eligible. Then FSU plays at Florida (3-7), which has little to fight for — other than ruining a rival’s season. These results could have a significant impact on how FSU administrators evaluate Norvell.

Weinberg can’t miss high-percentage kicks

Redshirt freshman kicker Jake Weinberg has made 11 of 15 field-goal attempts but two recent misses are cause for concern as he missed a 40-yarder at Clemson and a 34-yarder against Virginia Tech.

Weinberg’s miss against the Tigers came with FSU trailing 18-7. Opening the third quarter, the Seminoles’ drive stalled and a made field-goal attempt could have given momentum to a comeback. His miss against VT turned out to be inconsequential, but the FSU coaches must be able to trust Weinberg on field-goal attempts of 40 yards or less.

 

In this Dolphins Deep Dive video, the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s David Furones breaks down Miami’s overtime victory over the Washington Commanders in the NFL’s first game in Madrid, Spain. Despite the game being closer than many would have expected, the Dolphins have now won back-to-back games for the first time this season to improve their record to 4-7, and after their bye week they will have an opportunity to play themselves into the playoff race.

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MIAMI —  For the first time since last season’s playoff humiliation at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tyler Herro was a participant Sunday in a Miami Heat practice.

Out since September ankle surgery, Herro had traveled with the team on recent road trips but was not back into the mix until Sunday’s session at Kaseya Center, previously limited to shooting work on the side.

Still, it proved to be a day of mixed messages regarding the move toward clearance to return to game action.

“It felt great, just being out there with my teammates, being on the court with them first time all season,” Herro said with a smile. “So it felt great to be in the drills.

“My foot is getting better. I’ve been rehabbing around the clock every day since my surgery, trying to get back as soon as I can and I’m looking at about a week or two hopefully, if there are no setbacks. So we’ll see what happens.”

On Sept. 19, Herro underwent what the Heat described as surgery, “to alleviate posterior impingement syndrome in his left ankle.” In the announcement issued that day, the team said, “Herro is expected to miss around eight weeks.”

Friday night’s loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden was the eight-week mark.

Herro at media day on Sept. 29 had spoken of possibly being back during the initial weeks of the season. Based on Sunday’s comments, a return will not come within nine weeks of the surgery, if even then.

“The thing is, there never was a definitive timeline of when I would be back, when I had the surgery,” he clarified. “Everyone was kind of just putting numbers and weeks out there. It all depends on how I feel and how my foot responds. Some people have taken three months to five months with this same surgery. So it just depends on how my foot feels.

“I was hoping it would feel great at six weeks, but at six weeks I was just getting back on the court and starting to move. Ultimately, it just depends how my foot feels. And like I said, I’m doing treatment around the clock to be back on the floor as soon as I can.”

In addition to Herro returning to practice Sunday, center Bam Adebayo also returned to drill work, after missing the past five games with a toe sprain sustained in the first quarter of the Dec. 5 road loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Adebayo later was ruled out for Monday night’s game against the New York Knicks at Kaseya Center.

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“I mean that’s up to the training staff,” Adebayo said when asked about a return. “Obviously they’re trying to protect me from myself. But it felt good to just be out there.

“A lot less pain than I had. So working towards getting out there.”

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra attempted to add perspective on Sunday’s work by Herro at Adebayo.

“It was great to have him and Bam on that third unit today,” he said of Herro’s return. “That third unit looked like they had a boost of energy and confidence with those two in it.”

Spoelstra offered the comment with a smile.

“So we’ll just keep on building,” he said. “Don’t have a timeline on them, but obviously that’s a big step today.”

Even out of action, it has been a notable offseason for Herro, who had an Oct. 1-Oct. 20 window for an extension that was not forthcoming. Herro again becomes extension-eligible July 1, still with two seasons left on his Heat contract.

Herro can receive a larger contract extension if named All-NBA. However, to be eligible for such selection, Herro can miss no more than 17 games, having already missed the first 13 of the season. The latest timeline would rule out eligibility for all-NBA.

“I mean every year I try to come in with the mindset of playing the most games possible, not necessarily for accolades or anything like that,” he said. “I just want to be on the floor as much as possible. That’s what they pay me to do.

“Last season I had a very healthy season and this season started weird for me, something I couldn’t really control. So once I’m back on the floor again I’m going to do as much as I can to be out there for every game possible. That’s what I want to do, that’s my goal.’

An All-Star last season, Herro figures to further juice an offense that has led the NBA in pace but has been uneven recently in its efficiency. The prime questions will be his impact on both the Heat rotation and defense.

Davion Mitchell and Norman Powell have operated as the Heat’s starting backcourt in Herro’s absence, with Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Pelle Larsson receiving additional playing time and responsibilities.

In addition, Dru Smith has moved into a rotation role with Herro out.

With Herro, the Heat had largely operated with a series of pick-and-roll sets that maximized his shooting and scoring. In his absence, the team has moved to an approach that minimizes and practically eliminates such sets.

Injury report

In addition to being without Herro and Adebayo, also ruled out for Monday night for the Heat were Terry Rozier (not with team), two-way player Myron Gardner (G League) and rookie first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis, who started Sunday for the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, his first game action since a preseason groin injury.

For the Knicks, out are Jalen Brunson (ankle) and OG Anunoby (hamstring), with Miles McBride (personal reasons) questionable.

The Miami Dolphins with Sunday’s 16-13 overtime win over the Washington Commanders in Madrid, Spain, have finally won back-to-back games, the first step in putting together a real winning streak and getting back into the AFC playoff picture.

Things are looking up for the Dolphins (4-7), who unsuccessfully tried to muscle their way a victory late in the game, heading into their bye week.

Washington (3-8) entered Sunday riding a five-game losing streak but the Commanders turned out to be a tough opponent by running the ball effectively and limiting the Dolphins’ big plays on offense.

But hey, a win is a win. There’s no style points.

Here’s what we learned in Sunday’s game:

Dolphins in prime time

The Dolphins are now 5-12 (.294) in “prime time” national television games under coach Mike McDaniel, who took over in 2022. The Dolphins were 3-10 in those games under McDaniel entering the season. This season they’ve lost to Buffalo on a Thursday, 31-21, defeated the New York Jets on a Monday, 27-21, and lost to Baltimore on a Thursday’s 28-6, making them 4-12 going into Sunday morning’s Washington game in Madrid, Spain.

The Dolphins have two prime time games remaining, Monday night at Pittsburgh on Dec. 15, and Sunday night against Cincinnati on Dec. 21. — Chris Perkins

McDaniel strikes out trying to win with force

McDaniel tried to be a bully late in the fourth quarter and win it on a touchdown instead of a 20-some yard field goal. It didn’t work. Running back Ollie Gordon II was stuffed on fourth-and-goal from the Washington 1-yard line with the game tied at 13. Fortunately for McDaniel and the Dolphins it turned into a victory because Washington missed a 56-yard field goal attempt wide right at the end of regulation. But, wow, it would have been an ugly way to lose for McDaniel, whose job could still be in jeopardy.

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Only turnovers earn victory

Cornerback Jack Jones’ interception in overtime gave the Dolphins their game-winning possession after fellow cornerback Ethan Bonner’s recovery on a muffed punt in the fourth quarter appeared to give the Dolphins their a game-winning possession. Don’t discount the turnovers.

Miami, which didn’t have a giveaway against Washington, entered the game tied for 29th in the league at minus-7 in the turnover margin. Washington was minus-6, 28th in the league. The Dolphins were plus-2 on Sunday.

Dolphins second OT game under McDaniel

This was the Dolphins’ second overtime game under McDaniel, the only previous game being a 32-26 victory over the New York jets last season. The Dolphins won that game on a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to tight end Jonnu Smith after kicker Jason Sanders tied the game at 26 on a 52-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining in regulation.

McDaniel, Tua records

McDaniel is now 32-30 (.516) in the regular season with the Washington win. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has a 42-31 (.575) regular-season record. Tagovailoa, who was 6-5 as a starter in 2024, is now 10-12 (.455) in his past 22 starts.

Tagovailoa ended Sunday’s game 14 of 20 for 171 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions for a 96.0 passer rating. He was sacked three times. 

Achane gets it done from scrimmage

Running back De’Von Achane’s 165 yards from scrimmage (120 yards rushing, 45 yards receiving), his sixth game this season with at least 100 yards from scrimmage, once again highlights his impressive versatility. Achane, a third-year player who will likely want to negotiate a contract extension after this season, has had more than 90 yards from scrimmage in nine games, all but the season-opening loss against Indianapolis and the Carolina loss. He’s had one game with more than 200 yards from scrimmage.

Achane had 75 yards from scrimmage against the Colts (55 rushing, 20 receiving). But since then he’s had 122 vs. New England (30 rushing, 92 receiving), 91 at Buffalo (62 rushing, 29 receiving), 101 vs. the New York Jets (99 rushing, two receiving), 46 at Carolina (16 rushing, 30 receiving), 150 against the Los Angeles Chargers (128 rushing, 22 receiving), 98 at Cleveland (82 rushing, 16 receiving), 91 at Atlanta (67 rushing, 24 receiving), 106 vs. Baltimore (67 rushing, 39 receiving) and 225 against Buffalo (174 rushing, 51 receiving).

Waddle still on pace for 1,000 yards

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (three receptions, 52 yards) entered the game having totaled at least 80 yards receiving in five of his past six games, tying the best stretch of his career. He didn’t extend that streak Sunday, and he had two notable drops. But he’s still having a good season with 47 receptions for 670 yards. At an average of 61 yards per game he remains on pace for a 1,000-yard season (1,037 yards), which would be his fourth in five seasons.

Dolphins Deep Dive: Breaking down overtime win over Commanders in Madrid | VIDEO

Opposing QBs

The Dolphins entered Sunday’s game having lost to quarterbacks such as Cleveland’s Dillon Gabriel and Carolina’s Bryce Young. They couldn’t absorb a loss to Washington’s Marcus Mariota, another suspect quarterback.

The way the season has gone, you could understand the Dolphins losing to Indianapolis’ Daniel Jones, New England’s Drake Maye, Buffalo’s Josh Allen, the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. But the Mariota loss would have been tough to take.

Dolphins handling prosperity OK under McDaniel

Last week’s win over Buffalo was one of the top wins in the McDaniel era along with wins over Baltimore (2022), Buffalo (2022), the New York Jets (2022), the Los Angeles Chargers (2023), Denver (2023), Dallas (2023) and the Los Angeles Rams (2024).

The Dolphins are 4-3 after those games, indicating they’re so-so- at handling prosperity.

With Sunday’s win, the Dolphins are now 5-3 after some of the biggest wins in the McDaniel era.

Dolphins utilize three RBs

Running backs De’Von Achane (120 yards rushing), Ollie Gordon II (45 yards) and Jaylen Wright (four yards) combined to rush for 169 yards, showing the Dolphins have strength in numbers with their running game. Achane, Wright and Gordon all had carries in the first half as McDaniel got back to using his three running backs such as he did in the 34-10 win at Atlanta. Gordon’s fourth-quarter touchdown tied the game at 13.

The trio of running backs combined for 65 yards on nine carries in the first half with Achane (53 yards on seven caries) leading the way followed by Gordon (eight yards on one carry) and Wright (four yards on one carry). Things picked up in the second half led by Gordon’s 20-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Brooks gets sixth double-digits tackles game

Linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who began play Sunday as the NFL leader in tackles with 105, had 20 tackles in the game, 13 in the first half, six of those being solo tackles. Brooks has had six games of double-digit tackles. His previous season best was 18 tackles against the New York Jets.

Run defense allows another team to rush for more than 100 yards

Washington ended with 172 yards rushing, making the Commanders the ninth of 11 Dolphins opponents to rush for more than 100 yards against Miami’s run defense. Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota had a 44-yard gain in the fourth quarter. The Dolphins have allowed every team except Atlanta and Buffalo to rush for more than 100 yards. Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez led the way Sunday with 79 yards on 15 attempts.

Brooks’ production profile has dramatically changed with his move to Miami

In the 3,301 snaps he took while with the Seattle Seahawks, linebacker Jordyn Brooks collected 23 tackles for loss, or 143.5 snaps per TFL. He has taken that rate into the stratosphere at Miami. Through the NFL’s Week 10, Brooks was at 1,639 snaps with the Dolphins, so just slightly less than half of his Seattle total. In that timeframe, he had piled up 19 TFLs, or 86.3 snaps per tackle behind the line of scrimmage. That is a 40% reduction in the snaps per TFL. Incredible. — Steve Svekis

Could De’Von Achane threaten 2,000 yards?

Last week, the third-year rising-star running back became the first Miami Dolphins player with multiple games of at least 225 total yards (his 225 against the Bills joining his 233-yard outburst in 2023 against the Denver Broncos). With 165 more yards gained in Spain on Sunday, Achane is on pace for 1,963 total yards in 2025. Ricky Williams remains the standard-bearer for most yards in a season with 2,216. But in second place is Tyreek Hill with his 1,814 yards in 2023.

Tua Tagovailoa’s lack of athleticism can be a rough hang

Both of the first-half sacks by the Commanders were nice plays by the Washington defenders, but a dozen quarterbacks, at least, would have gained more yards on those plays, either by getting the ball thrown, or by getting past the tackler, at least to some degree. Then, the defense’s utter disregard for Tagovailoa as a run threat (he has one rushing first down in his past 18 starts) helped pack the box and lead to two second-half debacles where the Dolphins had a first-and-goals got zero points out of it, leaving Washington with a 13-6 lead. But, again, these shortcomings were knowns before the 2020 draft.

That was a ridiculous pass interference call against Jack Jones

A second-quarter flag bailed out an awful, airmailed Marcus Mariota pass that should have brought up a third-and-11 at the Washington 5. It was an amateurish call on multiple fronts, as Jones didn’t restrict Deebo Samuel’s movement as he broke inward. But, most inarguably, the ball couldn’t have been reached if the target had been Victor Wembayama sitting on Shaquille O’Neal’s shoulders.

Another game, yet another example of Dolphins being poor with the small details

First … slamming this to the top: KICK THE FIELD GOAL TO TAKE THE LEAD. Why are you acting like a Mariota-led Commanders offense will rull down for a winning TD in the final two minutes? The past four seasons under the stewardship of Mike McDaniel have been peppered with early-in-the-half timeouts, sometimes before long-distance third-down plays on offense, putrid use of the NFL challenge system and then, in Madrid on Sunday morning, a penalty that raised uncomfortable memories of the playoff game in Buffalo in 2023, when the Dolphins had a fourth-and-1 near midfield, down 34-31 with 2:27 left, when a delay-of game penalty basically ended Miami’s chances. Against the Commanders, the Dolphins were breezing on their first possession when a 1-yard De’Von Achane dive brought up a fourth-and-1 at the Commanders 23. Somehow, the Dolphins seemingly weren’t prepared for a short-yardage situation, with Miami flagged for a delay, and the Dolphins had to settle for a field goal.

How do Dolphins stack up in home games lost to international sites?

The game against the Commanders in Madrid marked the fourth home contest lost by the Miami Dolphins to a foreign country. Some teams have played more such games (the Jaguars, Bills and Raiders all have given up at least five such games). What is truly incredible, though, has been that over the 19 years the international games have been played, a full quarter of the league has not sacrificed even a single home game: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. Say what?

Progressive has mined some ex-Dolphins for acting work

It is cool seeing three South Florida high school products — and former Dolphins — in Jacoby Brissett (Dwyer High School graduate), Teddy Bridgewater (Miami Northwestern) and Tyler Huntley (Hallandale) get some ride in the fun Progressive “backup” commercials. Brissett is revealed as a “backup tax preparer”, Bridgewater is couched as a “backup listener” in a cafe and Huntley is a “backup parent” speaking to a young man in his bedroom. Among other “backups” revealed so far have been Mitch Trubisky, Case Keenum, Colt McCoy and Tommy DeVito.

On deck: New Orleans Saints, Hard Rock Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 30, 1 p.m.

The last time the Dolphins faced the New Orleans Saints, it was at the Superdome against a quarterback, Ian Book, making what ended up as his only NFL start. Miami got a Nik Needham pick-six and won 20-3. Assuming he stays upright, Tyler Shough will be making his fourth career NFL start at Hard Rock Stadium. After some injury-affected seasons, receiver Chris Olave is on pace for an 1,100-yard year.

A win is a win is a win. The Dolphins might not frame this one, but they aren’t throwing back Sunday’s 16-13 win in overtime in Madrid.

They made just enough big plays and sidestepped some certain second-guessing in moving to 4-7 on the season. How to explain those final few minutes?

Here are 10 thoughts on the game:

1. Play of the Game: Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones cuts in front of Washington tight end Zach Ertz for an interception on the first play of overtime. The Dolphins got the ball at the Washington 35-yard line and, a few De’Von Achane runs later, Riley Patterson kicked the winning 29-yard field goal.

2. Almost-the-call of the game: Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel doesn’t kick the field goal and goes for it on fourth-and-1 with 1:44 left in regulation in a tie game. How could he not take the points and maybe the win? It looked especially second-guess-able when Ollie Gordon lost 2 yards up the middle on fourth down and Washington got the ball. But …

3. One guy who doesn’t second-guess the call: Washington coach Dan Quinn. He did the same in a similar situation except there was just under seven minutes left in the game. On third-and-2 Dolphins linebacker Tyrel Dodson and safety Ashtyn Davis filled the hole to stop Washington running back Chris Rodriguez for no gain. On fourth down, Davis had good coverage of Ertz, who also slipped on his route, for an incompletion. That leads to …

4. Stat of the Game: 1 for 7. That was the teams’ combined red-zone success. Those final two, shun-the-touchdown calls highlighted the underachievement. Why did the coaches do that? Do they trust their offenses that much? Is it because they don’t trust their defense to make stops? Is it because no one second guesses going for it on fourth down anymore? Is that because they’re 3-7 and all caution is to the wind? If either coach goes for it there, they win in regulation.

5. Weekly Update: Achane is the hands-down Team MVP. He’s also as electric as any playmaker in the league. He finished with 21 carries for 120 yards and five catches for 45 yards. So, he had more than half the Dolphins’ 311 yards. No need to tell McDaniel. Eight of the Dolphins’ nine final plays — when turnovers gave the the ball in near-winning field position — were Achane runs. The ninth play wasn’t given to him maybe because he stayed down on the field, momentarily hurting, and Gordon was then stuffed for that minus-2-yard loss. His best play was the opening one of the fourth quarter. On first down at the Washington 20, on a quasi-trick play (Tua jumped like it was a high snap), Achane was pinned to the sideline by handful of Washington defenders behind the line. He somehow turned it into a 9-yard gain. The Dolphins went in for a touchdown to tie it, 13-13.

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• Instant Analysis: Miami Dolphins 16, Washington Commanders 13 (OT)

6. Almost-the-play of the game: Washington’s Mike Sainristil muffs his first attempted punt catch in the NFL and Ethan Bonner recovers at the Washington 42 with 4:11 left in a 13-13 game. That put the Dolphins in a position where six-straight Achane runs had the ball at the Washington 2-yard line. The Dolphins two turnovers meant they’re 5-0 in the turnover margin the past two weeks.

7. “Operational issues,” isn’t a word you want to hear again this season. But there it was on the first drive that started with Achane running for 11, Tua throwing to Waddle for 14 and then Achane running for 23 more. But the Dolphins then used a timeout two minutes into the game – early timeouts remain an issue (two were used in the first quarter last week against Buffalo). Then, on fourth-and-1 at Washington’s 23, Tua tried to draw Washington offsides and took a delay of game penalty. And since we’re on the subject …

8. The book on Tua was on display Sunday as he completed 14 of 20 passes for 170 yards and, importantly, no interceptions. He threw an accurate and perfectly timed quick slant to that Jaylen Waddle took for 31 yards on their first play of the second half. That’s what he does best. What he is limited at came at the end of the drive. From first-and-goal at the 7, Washington didn’t have to worry about him running. On third- and fourth-goal at the 2, some quarterbacks could have the option of running if a pass wasn’t open (incomplete attempt to Waddle). Earlier, on third-and-2 at the Washington 10, Tua couldn’t evade the good play of a blitzing Quan Martin and took an 11-yard loss. Tua is accurate and anticipates well on particular passes. His athleticism is limited. There it was again Sunday.

9. Quick Hits:

Top draft pick Kenneth Grant stuffed Washington running back Chris Rodriguez on third-and-1 on Washington’s opening drive. Washington converted a short pass on fourth down. But that’s the kind of progression you want to see the rest of this season from young players.

Jaylen Waddle had two costly drops in the fourth quarter.

Washington’s Chris Rodriguez ran for a career-high 79 yards on 15 carries.

The Dolphins were 3 of 9 on third downs (Washington was 6 of 13).

Good line by the NFL Network’s Jonathan Vilma (I think) after Hawaii natives Tua and Marcus Mariota each started with five straight completions. “Hawaii Five-O,” he said.

10. Next game: New Orleans on Nov. 30 in Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins finally get their bye week coming off the game in Madrid. If the long trip and time-difference changes is a good place for a break, the preference is a bit earlier. But they come back to games against New Orleans and the New York Jets, two of the three teams with Tennessee who entered Sunday fighting for the No. 1 draft pick.

Dolphins Deep Dive: Breaking down overtime win over Commanders in Madrid | VIDEO