The Miami Hurricanes didn’t win pretty, but they won - and they did it with defense. In a gritty 10-3 slugfest against Texas A&M in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Miami’s defense didn’t just show up - it dominated. From the trenches to the secondary, the Hurricanes turned Kyle Field into a defensive showcase, and it was the kind of performance that sends a message: this team isn’t just happy to be here.
Let’s start with cornerback Keionte Scott. Back in action after a lower-body injury, Scott looked like he hadn’t missed a beat - if anything, he looked like he’d been saving it all for this moment.
He racked up 10 total tackles (five solo, five assisted), added two sacks, and notched three tackles for loss. That’s a stat line you’d expect from a linebacker, not a corner.
But Scott played with the kind of physicality and timing that made life miserable for the Aggies’ offense. His return couldn’t have come at a better time.
But this win wasn’t about one guy. The Hurricanes' defensive front was relentless, especially when it came to containing Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed.
Reed is known for his mobility - a dual-threat who can flip a game in an instant with his legs. But Miami's front seven shut that down early.
They forced Reed to win with his arm, and when it came down to it, the Hurricanes bet on their pass rush - and won.
Still, Reed gave Miami a scare on the final drive, flashing the kind of late-game magic that’s made him dangerous all year. But just when it looked like the Aggies might force overtime, true freshman safety Bryce Fitzgerald stepped up with a clutch interception to slam the door shut.
A freshman making that kind of play in a playoff game? That’s the kind of moment that can define a career.
And then there were the edge rushers - Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor - who were nothing short of a problem for Texas A&M. The two combined for 10 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, and even managed to get a hand on a field goal attempt. That’s not just production - that’s disruption.
Bain Jr. has been in the national spotlight all season, and for good reason. But Mesidor deserves his flowers too.
The redshirt senior was a wrecking ball off the edge, generating 11 quarterback pressures - the second-most ever recorded in a College Football Playoff game. That’s historic stuff, and it speaks to just how dominant he’s been down the stretch.
For Mesidor, this performance was personal. The Canadian native talked postgame about his drive to make the most of every opportunity.
“I think it’s my mentality,” he said. “I left Ottawa, I love Ottawa, but I refused to go back.
I needed to become the best player I can in order to maximize everything that was given to me. This facility, the coaches, the people that would surround me.
You have all these resources, so you might as well maximize and get the most out of it.”
That mindset has translated to the field in a big way, and it’s a big reason why Miami is still dancing in late December.
Next up? A date with the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals on New Year’s Eve.
It’s a prime-time showdown in Arlington, Texas - 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN - and it’s shaping up to be a heavyweight battle.
The Hurricanes already proved they can win in a hostile environment, and Mesidor says he’s “ready” for what comes next.
This matchup isn’t just another playoff game - it’s a litmus test. If Miami can take down Ohio State, they’ll prove they’re more than just a feel-good story.
They’ll prove they belong in the national championship conversation. And with a defense playing like this?
Don’t count them out.