Lead
On Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, No. 10 seed Miami upset No. 2 Ohio State 24-14 in the first College Football Playoff quarterfinal. Miami scored twice in the second quarter — a Carson Beck touchdown pass followed 1:42 later by Keionte Scott’s 72-yard interception return — and held the Buckeyes to their highest point total allowed this season. The Hurricanes (12-2) moved into the CFP semifinals and will play in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8; Ohio State (12-2) exited earlier than its No. 2 seed suggested. Attendance was 71,323 and the game aired on ESPN.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Miami 24, Ohio State 14; Miami entered as the CFP No. 10 seed, Ohio State as No. 2.
- Turnaround sequence: Carson Beck’s 9-yard TD to Mark Fletcher Jr. at 13:31 of Q2 was followed 1:42 later by Keionte Scott’s 72-yard pick-six.
- Game leaders: Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed 19 times for 90 yards and was named Offensive Player of the Game; Keionte Scott had the 72-yard interception return and was Defensive Player of the Game.
- Quarterback play: Miami’s Carson Beck was 19-of-26 for 138 yards and one TD; Ohio State’s Julian Sayin finished 22-of-35 for 287 yards, one TD and two interceptions and was sacked five times.
- Team stats: Miami gained 291 total yards on 63 plays (153 rush, 138 pass); Ohio State had 332 yards on 59 plays (45 rush, 287 pass). Miami recorded five sacks for 42 yards; Ohio State had two sacks for five yards.
- Special teams: Carter Davis hit a 49-yard field goal; Ohio State missed a 49-yard attempt by Jayden Fielding earlier in the game.
- Turnovers and conversions: Ohio State committed two interceptions and no fumbles lost; Miami converted 7 of 14 on fourth down and held a 5-of-13 mark on third down.
Background
Miami reached the 12-team College Football Playoff field as an at-large entry despite not playing in the ACC championship game; coach Mario Cristobal is in his fourth season leading the program. The Hurricanes are seeking their first national championship since 2001, a season in which Cristobal was a starting offensive lineman for Miami. That 2001 title remains the program’s most recent crowning achievement.
Ohio State entered the Cotton Bowl as the defending national champion and the No. 2 seed, with freshman Julian Sayin listed as a Heisman Trophy finalist in season coverage. The Buckeyes had been among the nation’s defensive stalwarts this season; limiting opponents had been a consistent strength prior to surrendering 24 points to Miami, the most they allowed all year.
Main Event
The game’s opening scoring came midway through the second quarter on a controlled drive by Miami. Carson Beck connected with running back Mark Fletcher Jr. on a 9-yard touchdown out of the backfield at 13:31 of the second, finishing a 13-play, 83-yard drive that consumed 8:04 off the clock. That completion was part of a 13-completion streak that set a Cotton Bowl record.
Less than two minutes later, Miami’s defense produced a game-changing play. Keionte Scott intercepted a screen pass from Julian Sayin and returned it 72 yards untouched for a touchdown, pushing the Hurricanes to a 14-0 lead. Scott’s return marked his second season with interception returns for touchdowns.
Ohio State answered in the third quarter when Bo Jackson powered in from the 1-yard line, cutting the deficit to 14-7 after an 11-play, 82-yard drive. Miami responded with a 49-yard field goal by Carter Davis three minutes later to extend the margin to 17-7.
The Buckeyes rallied early in the fourth when Sayin found Jeremiah Smith for a 14-yard touchdown on a fourth-down conversion, narrowing the score to 17-14 after a 10-play, 75-yard drive. Miami sealed the game in the closing minute when CharMar Brown converted a 5-yard rushing score with 55 seconds remaining, finalizing the 24-14 result.
Analysis & Implications
Miami’s victory is a case study in complementary football: timely passing, a physical rushing attack and a defensive line that created pressure. The Hurricanes ran 37 times for 153 yards, with Fletcher Jr. carrying the load and a balanced ground game that kept Ohio State’s pass rush honest. Miami’s defense recorded five sacks for a combined 42 yards, repeatedly disrupting Sayin and the Buckeyes’ timing.
For Ohio State, the loss raises immediate questions about pass protection and turnover avoidance in big games. Sayin’s 287 yards and a long touchdown to Jeremiah Smith showed the passing game could move the ball, but two interceptions and five sacks turned field position and momentum into a deficit the Buckeyes couldn’t overcome. Special teams also swung the game: Ohio State missed a 49-yard field goal while Miami converted its only deep attempt.
On the CFP bracket, Miami now advances to the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Jan. 8 and will face the winner of the Sugar Bowl matchup between No. 3 Georgia and No. 6 Ole Miss. A win there would place the Hurricanes within one game of a title; because Miami’s campus stadium is the scheduled site for the championship game, Cristobal noted the unique optics of potentially playing for a national title in his program’s home stadium.
Comparison & Data
| Stat | Miami | Ohio State |
|---|---|---|
| Total offense (plays-yards) | 63-291 | 59-332 |
| Rushing (attempts-yards) | 37-153 | 24-45 |
| Passing yards | 138 | 287 |
| Turnovers (INTs/Fumbles lost) | 0/1 | 2/0 |
| Sacks (number-yards) | 5-42 | 2-5 |
| Attendance | 71,323 | |
The box score shows Miami leaned on the run to control the clock and produce short, efficient drives; Ohio State accumulated more total yards but gave up the turnover that directly produced seven points and lost the turnover battle 2-1. Miami’s success on fourth down (7-of-14) and the pressure generated by its front seven were decisive factors in the final outcome.
Reactions & Quotes
Players and coaches framed the win as proof of Miami’s resilience and team identity. Carson Beck, the Miami quarterback, highlighted the group’s response to adversity and the camaraderie that carried them through the game.
“Just the way that this team has responded to adversity. We knew coming into today that it wasn’t going to be easy.”
Carson Beck, Miami quarterback
Keionte Scott described the emotion of his interception-return touchdown and credited a free, confident style of play for the defense’s success.
“I was full of emotions… That was a pretty cool moment. Just having fun.”
Keionte Scott, Miami defensive back
Mario Cristobal placed the result in the context of the program’s history and his role returning to his alma mater, emphasizing team focus rather than personal recognition.
“It is 100% not about me… it is my obligation … to provide these guys with even better opportunities.”
Mario Cristobal, Miami head coach
Unconfirmed
- The precise semifinal opponent (No. 3 Georgia or No. 6 Ole Miss) will be confirmed after the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1; Miami’s Jan. 8 Fiesta Bowl opponent was not finalized at game time.
- Immediate postgame injury designations and the long-term status of any players with in-game knocks remain subject to medical evaluation and formal reports.
Bottom Line
Miami’s 24-14 victory over Ohio State is one of the season’s most consequential upsets: an at-large, lower seed that combined opportunistic defense and controlled offense to eliminate the defending champion. Keionte Scott’s interception return and a steady running attack led by Mark Fletcher Jr. were the game’s turning points.
The Hurricanes now head to the CFP semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8 with momentum and a realistic path to competing for a national championship. For Ohio State, the loss prompts a re-evaluation of pass protection and turnover management ahead of offseason adjustments.