During a challenging weekend for Miami Hurricanes supporters, their mascot, Sebastian the Ibis, found himself in the spotlight for reasons beyond the football field. Reporter Ashley Wenskoski, covering the Syracuse vs. Miami game, publicly recounted on X (formerly Twitter) that Sebastian had asked for her phone number mid-game. Wenskoski pointed out the curious timing of the mascot's advance, given Miami's precarious position in the fourth quarter.

Syracuse ultimately secured a 42-38 victory, eliminating Miami from ACC championship contention and delivering the Orange their first top-10 win since 2017. Quarterback Kyle McCord's impressive performance (380 passing yards and three touchdowns) fueled Syracuse's comeback from a significant 21-point deficit.

With Miami's College Football Playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Sebastian's apparent lack of focus became a topic of discussion. Wenskoski later emphasized the significance of Syracuse's win and her team's dedication to covering the game, suggesting the mascot's actions were a distraction from the on-field drama. She praised Syracuse head coach Fran Brown's revitalization of the program.

Sebastian the Ibis responded to the online attention, suggesting on Instagram that the story was fabricated for attention. The incident added an unusual layer to a pivotal game with significant implications for both teams.