{"id":12489,"date":"2026-01-01T23:07:19","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T23:07:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/miami-ohio-state-cotton-bowl-recap\/"},"modified":"2026-01-01T23:07:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T23:07:19","slug":"miami-ohio-state-cotton-bowl-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/miami-ohio-state-cotton-bowl-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"Playoff Quarterfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Recap &#8211; College Football Playoff"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<h2>Lead<\/h2>\n<p>On Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 at AT&#038;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 \u2014 a Carson Beck touchdown pass followed 1:42 later by Keionte Scott&#8217;s 72-yard interception return \u2014 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.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Final score: Miami 24, Ohio State 14; Miami entered as the CFP No. 10 seed, Ohio State as No. 2.<\/li>\n<li>Turnaround sequence: Carson Beck&#8217;s 9-yard TD to Mark Fletcher Jr. at 13:31 of Q2 was followed 1:42 later by Keionte Scott&#8217;s 72-yard pick-six.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Quarterback play: Miami&#8217;s Carson Beck was 19-of-26 for 138 yards and one TD; Ohio State&#8217;s Julian Sayin finished 22-of-35 for 287 yards, one TD and two interceptions and was sacked five times.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Special teams: Carter Davis hit a 49-yard field goal; Ohio State missed a 49-yard attempt by Jayden Fielding earlier in the game.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>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&#8217;s most recent crowning achievement.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s defensive stalwarts this season; limiting opponents had been a consistent strength prior to surrendering 24 points to Miami, the most they allowed all year.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>The game&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p>Less than two minutes later, Miami\u2019s 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&#8217;s return marked his second season with interception returns for touchdowns.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>Miami&#8217;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\u2019s pass rush honest. Miami&#8217;s defense recorded five sacks for a combined 42 yards, repeatedly disrupting Sayin and the Buckeyes&#8217; timing.<\/p>\n<p>For Ohio State, the loss raises immediate questions about pass protection and turnover avoidance in big games. Sayin&#8217;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&#8217;t overcome. Special teams also swung the game: Ohio State missed a 49-yard field goal while Miami converted its only deep attempt.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s 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\u2019s home stadium.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Stat<\/th>\n<th>Miami<\/th>\n<th>Ohio State<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Total offense (plays-yards)<\/td>\n<td>63-291<\/td>\n<td>59-332<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Rushing (attempts-yards)<\/td>\n<td>37-153<\/td>\n<td>24-45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Passing yards<\/td>\n<td>138<\/td>\n<td>287<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Turnovers (INTs\/Fumbles lost)<\/td>\n<td>0\/1<\/td>\n<td>2\/0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sacks (number-yards)<\/td>\n<td>5-42<\/td>\n<td>2-5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Attendance<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">71,323<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>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&#8217;s success on fourth down (7-of-14) and the pressure generated by its front seven were decisive factors in the final outcome.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<p>Players and coaches framed the win as proof of Miami&#8217;s resilience and team identity. Carson Beck, the Miami quarterback, highlighted the group&#8217;s response to adversity and the camaraderie that carried them through the game.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Just the way that this team has responded to adversity. We knew coming into today that it wasn&#8217;t going to be easy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Carson Beck, Miami quarterback<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Keionte Scott described the emotion of his interception-return touchdown and credited a free, confident style of play for the defense\u2019s success.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;I was full of emotions&#8230; That was a pretty cool moment. Just having fun.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Keionte Scott, Miami defensive back<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Mario Cristobal placed the result in the context of the program&#8217;s history and his role returning to his alma mater, emphasizing team focus rather than personal recognition.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;It is 100% not about me&#8230; it is my obligation &#8230; to provide these guys with even better opportunities.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Mario Cristobal, Miami head coach<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: Key terms<\/summary>\n<p>At-large berth: a CFP invitation granted to a team that did not win its conference but is selected by the CFP committee. Seed: a team&#8217;s ranking within the 12-team CFP field that determines matchups and byes. Pick-six: an interception returned by the defense for a touchdown. Fourth-down conversion rate: the percentage of successful plays on fourth down attempts, often a decisive metric in close playoff games.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<\/h2>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The precise semifinal opponent (No. 3 Georgia or No. 6 Ole Miss) will be confirmed after the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1; Miami&#8217;s Jan. 8 Fiesta Bowl opponent was not finalized at game time.<\/li>\n<li>Immediate postgame injury designations and the long-term status of any players with in-game knocks remain subject to medical evaluation and formal reports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>Miami&#8217;s 24-14 victory over Ohio State is one of the season&#8217;s most consequential upsets: an at-large, lower seed that combined opportunistic defense and controlled offense to eliminate the defending champion. Keionte Scott&#8217;s interception return and a steady running attack led by Mark Fletcher Jr. were the game&#8217;s turning points.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/collegefootballplayoff.com\/sports\/2026\/1\/1\/QF-Cotton-recap.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">College Football Playoff \u2014 official game recap (official)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead On Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 at AT&#038;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 \u2014 a Carson Beck touchdown pass followed 1:42 later by Keionte Scott&#8217;s 72-yard interception return \u2014 and held the &#8230; <a title=\"Playoff Quarterfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Recap &#8211; College Football Playoff\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/miami-ohio-state-cotton-bowl-recap\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Playoff Quarterfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Recap &#8211; College Football Playoff\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12484,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Miami stuns Ohio State 24-14 \u2014 College Football Playoff","rank_math_description":"Miami upset No. 2 Ohio State 24-14 at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31, 2025, keyed by a 72-yard Keionte Scott interception return and strong play by Carson Beck. Read the full recap, stats and implications for the CFP.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"Miami,Ohio State,Cotton Bowl,Carson Beck,Keionte Scott,College Football Playoff","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12489","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12489"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12489\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12489"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12489"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}