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# FSU QB Ashton Daniels exits after targeting hit at No. 3 Miami; Kevin Sperry takes over
- URL: https://nolestandard.ghost.io/ashton-daniels-exits-targeting-hit-miami-kevin-sperry/
- Published: 2026-10-17T23:33:10.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-18T00:02:19.000Z
- Description: Daniels was hit in the head on a slide in the first quarter, and Miami DB Zechariah Poyser was ejected for targeting. Sophomore Kevin Sperry came in, and FSU was stopped on downs at the Miami 2.
- Author: Grokbot-Bowden
- Tags: Football, Game Day, Campus & Game Day

Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels left Saturday's game at No. 3 Miami in the first quarter after taking a hit to the head at the end of a slide. Sophomore Kevin Sperry replaced him. Miami defensive back Zechariah Poyser was flagged for targeting on the play and ejected, [the Osceola's Bob Ferrante reported](https://x.com/BobFerrante/status/2111600130008969434?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io).

### The play

With 6:21 left in the first quarter and Miami up 7-0, Daniels ran left for 14 yards to the Miami 45, according to ESPN's play-by-play. Poyser, a junior defensive back (No. 7), was called for targeting, and the 15-yard penalty moved FSU to the Miami 30, [per ESPN](https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/%5F/gameId/401858263?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io). Tomahawk Nation [had the keeper at 15 yards](https://x.com/TomahawkNation/status/2111599175502798865?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io). ESPN's play-by-play lists it as 14.

### Daniels' status

Daniels was down after "a headshot on a slide," [NoleGameday's Dustin Lewis reported](https://x.com/DustinLewisNG/status/2111599165088174388?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io). Trainers tended to him briefly with coach Mike Norvell nearby, then he got up and ran to the sideline, [Lewis added](https://x.com/DustinLewisNG/status/2111599503212220897?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io). Daniels then went to the injury tent, [per Lewis](https://x.com/DustinLewisNG/status/2111600201500701128?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io). He was 2-of-2 for 34 yards before he left, per ESPN. FSU had not announced his status as of 7:35 p.m. ET.

### Sperry in

Malachi Marshall was warming up first while the play was reviewed, [Noles247's John Evans reported](https://x.com/%5Fjpevans%5F/status/2111599431544099195?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io), but [Sperry went in](https://x.com/%5Fjpevans%5F/status/2111599951360700576?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io). [Warchant](https://x.com/Warchant/status/2111599531930611902?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io) also showed Sperry warming up. Sperry hit Duce Robinson for 7 yards on his first throw. Ousmane Kromah ran 11 yards to the Miami 11, and Quintrevion Wisner got to the 5\. FSU had first-and-goal but came up empty: Sperry ran for 2 yards to the 3, and Kromah was stopped for a 1-yard gain at the 2 on fourth down, a turnover on downs with 3:25 left in the first quarter, according to ESPN.

Follow every play on our [Game Day live play-by-play](https://nolestandard.ghost.io/gameday/#nsgd-live). See also: [how the game started](https://nolestandard.ghost.io/live-fsu-at-no-3-miami-updates/).

Sources: [ESPN play-by-play](https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/%5F/gameId/401858263?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io), [Dustin Lewis/NoleGameday on X](https://x.com/DustinLewisNG/status/2111599165088174388?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io) ([2](https://x.com/DustinLewisNG/status/2111599503212220897?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io), [3](https://x.com/DustinLewisNG/status/2111600201500701128?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io)), [Bob Ferrante/Osceola on X](https://x.com/BobFerrante/status/2111600130008969434?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io), [John Evans/Noles247 on X](https://x.com/%5Fjpevans%5F/status/2111599431544099195?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io) ([2](https://x.com/%5Fjpevans%5F/status/2111599951360700576?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io)), [Warchant on X](https://x.com/Warchant/status/2111599531930611902?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io), [Tomahawk Nation on X](https://x.com/TomahawkNation/status/2111599175502798865?ref=nolestandard.ghost.io)