Rueben Bain Jr. Dominates as Miami Stifles Texas A&M in CFP Opener
"God bless them. That's all."
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) December 20, 2025
Reuben Bain Jr.'s response to Texas A&M's trash talk 👀🍿 pic.twitter.com/toiop3FlhT
If you're looking for a defensive masterclass, Rueben Bain Jr. just dropped the blueprint.
In Miami's gritty 10-3 win over Texas A&M in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Bain didn’t just show up-he took over. The Hurricanes' defensive lineman was a one-man wrecking crew, racking up three sacks, four tackles for loss, and a blocked field goal in a game defined by defense and momentum-shifting plays.
And while Bain let his play do most of the talking, there was a little extra edge to his performance-one that may have been sharpened by a pregame comment from Aggies senior offensive lineman Trey Zuhn.
Asked about Bain shortly after the playoff matchups were announced, Zuhn didn’t mince words: “I haven't had the time to watch any film yet since it just got announced, but I don't think he'll be a threat that we need to worry about too much,” he said. “We have great players. We got a great offensive line, so we'll be able to handle him.”
Bain’s response? Calm and measured: “God bless those guys,” he said.
“They’re just playing football the way they play it.” But on Saturday, Bain let his game speak volumes.
From the opening whistle, Bain was a constant presence in the Aggies' backfield. The highlight of the first half came when he blocked a 22-yard field goal attempt by Jared Zirkel in the second quarter-keeping the scoreboard clean and Miami in control of the pace. But Bain saved his best for the fourth quarter, when the Hurricanes were hanging onto a slim 3-0 lead and desperately needed someone to slam the door shut.
He didn’t just slam it-he ripped it off the hinges.
All three of Bain’s sacks came in that final quarter, each one more disruptive than the last. He chased, collapsed pockets, and made life miserable for Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed. With the game on the line, Bain delivered the kind of performance that separates good players from game-changers.
And when the Hurricanes sealed the win with a clutch end-zone interception by safety Bryce Fitzgerald, Bain made sure the moment wasn’t lost. On the field, he poked fun at the Aggies’ rally cry, clearly relishing the win.
Then, back in the locker room, he hopped on Instagram Live with an unfiltered message for the doubters. When the postgame press conference rolled around, Bain delivered his final statement-one that left no doubt about how personal this game had become.
“Well first, like I said before, I don't take kindly to disrespect,” Bain said. “I had my little reminder on my phone.
"Ain't no gig 'em in here. Go Canes."
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) December 20, 2025
Rueben Bain Jr. after @CanesFootball win over No. 7 Texas A&M 🙌 pic.twitter.com/eEBSr2yjnh
So all two weeks, the last two weeks, I was ready to play some football. Some guys in the media said some things they shouldn't have said ...
They wrote checks they can't cash.”
It was a statement game from a player who’s been climbing draft boards and turning heads all season. Bain, who’s already being talked about as a potential top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, just added another highlight reel to his résumé-this one on the biggest stage of the season so far.
“They wrote checks they couldn’t cash.”
— Gaby Urrutia (@GabyUrrutia247) December 20, 2025
Rueben Bain did more than just take notes on the comments made about him by Texas A&M LT Trey Zuhn.
3 sacks and 4 TFL for the star defensive end. pic.twitter.com/bWYQ9NBijP
Now, Miami moves on to a heavyweight showdown with defending national champion Ohio State on New Year’s Eve. But if Bain keeps playing like this, the Buckeyes better be ready. Because Rueben Bain Jr. isn’t just a threat-he’s a problem.