Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels was named to the Davey O’Brien Great 8 after his record-setting performance in FSU’s 38-7 win over Virginia on Saturday. Daniels is also now on the Davey O’Brien Award Midseason Watch List, as all members of the Great 8 are automatically named to the watch list.
Daniels, a fifth-year player from Buford, Ga., completed 12 passes for 183 yards and rushed for 136 yards and a school-record five touchdowns in Florida State’s runaway win. In addition to the school rushing
touchdown record, he tied the FSU record for points in a game with 30, set a Doak Campbell Stadium rushing touchdown record and tied the ACC record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. He also became the first player since at least 1995 to have 180 passing yards, 130 rushing yards and score five touchdowns in a game.
Trailing 7-0 after the first quarter, Daniels sparked the Seminoles to 38 consecutive points to close out the game. He scored on runs of 1, 3, 4, 6 and 81 yards, with his 81-yarder serving as the longest play of the season for FSU and the second-longest rush by a quarterback in program history. It is the seventh-longest run in FBS this season and the longest against a Power Four opponent.
For the season, Daniels ranks third nationally in both rushing touchdowns (nine) and in yards per completion (15.89). His nine touchdowns on the ground match the FSU single-season record for a quarterback.
Daniels was also named the ACC Quarterback of the Week for his performance, while Andre Otto was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week.
Otto, a senior from Key West, Fla., spearheaded an offensive line that paved the way for Daniels and the Seminole rushing attack that had a season-high 281 rushing yards. Otto graded out with a 99% effort grade and 86% job grade with seven knockdown blocks, nine blocks that led to a touchdown or first down and he drew one penalty on Virginia’s defensive line, according to FSU’s internal statistics.
Daniels is the fifth Seminole to earn Quarterback of the Week honors since the award was instituted in 2018, and the first since ACC Player of the Year Jordan Travis won it three times in 2023. Daniels also won the award as a junior at Stanford in 2024.
It’s Otto’s first ACC Player of the Week honor.
Daniels, Otto, and the Seminoles return to action Friday night at Louisville. The game will air on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET.
