Florida State coach Mike Norvell blasts a controversial holding penalty that erased a touchdown against Miami, raising fresh questions about ACC officiating.

Florida State coach Mike Norvell isn’t backing down from his criticism of ACC officiating after a controversial holding penalty helped end the Seminoles’ comeback hopes against Miami.

Two days after Florida State’s 43-35 double-overtime loss to the Hurricanes, Norvell remained furious about a flag that erased a potential touchdown and denied his team an opportunity to force a third overtime.

“The holding call was an absolute joke,” Norvell said Monday.

The controversy unfolded with Florida State facing third-and-21 during the second overtime. Quarterback Ashton Daniels delivered a remarkable 36-yard touchdown pass to Micahi Danzy, seemingly pulling the Seminoles within a two-point conversion of extending the game.

Instead, officials flagged offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin for holding, wiping away the score.

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Norvell believes Chaplin executed a legitimate blocking technique rather than committing a penalty.

The play involved a maneuver commonly described as “snatch-and-trap,” in which an offensive lineman uses a defender’s forward momentum to pull him toward the ground.

It’s a technique regularly taught to offensive linemen, but one that can create difficult judgment calls when defenders fall abruptly.

Norvell argued that similar blocking went unpenalized earlier in Saturday’s rivalry showdown.

The Florida State coach said he contacted ACC supervisor of officials Gary Patterson seeking clarification but hadn’t received the conference’s final evaluation.

For Norvell, the frustration extends beyond a disagreement about technique.

His players had battled back against the nation’s third-ranked team and were potentially one successful conversion away from another overtime period.

The Seminoles ultimately faced fourth-and-31, when Daniels targeted Duce Robinson in the end zone.

Robinson and Miami safety Bryce Fitzgerald both appeared to make contact with the football as they went to the ground.

Officials awarded Fitzgerald an interception, ending the game.

Norvell also questioned whether the replay review adequately considered simultaneous possession, which could have changed the outcome of the play.

However, ESPN rules analyst Steve Shaw supported the interception ruling, explaining that Fitzgerald demonstrated control of the football.

The disputed ending overshadowed an impressive performance from Daniels, who threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns while adding another score on the ground.

Florida State dropped to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in ACC play, while Miami improved to 7-0 and climbed to No. 1 in Sunday’s Associated Press rankings.

The Seminoles have a bye this weekend before hosting Clemson on October 31.

Norvell acknowledged that Florida State must do more than compete closely with elite opponents.

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“We’re not in the business of being close,” he said.

But Saturday’s ending leaves a significant question hanging over the ACC.

If a commonly taught blocking technique can draw a game-changing penalty in double overtime, coaches deserve clarity about how officials intend to enforce the rule.

For now, Florida State is left with another painful loss — and an officiating controversy that won’t disappear anytime soon.