Keionte Scott wasn’t supposed to be back this season. That’s what the reports said.
That’s what his head coach said. But on Saturday, in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, there he was-right in the middle of everything, flying around the field like he’d never missed a snap.
The senior cornerback, who had missed the final three games of the regular season with a right foot injury, made his return count in a big way. Scott led No.
10 Miami’s defense with 10 tackles, including three for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble in a gritty 10-3 win over No. 3 Texas A&M in College Station.
It was the kind of performance that doesn’t just show up in the box score-it changes the tone of a game.
“I just kept focusing on what I could control,” Scott said postgame. “Being with my brothers, staying locked in, and doing everything I could to get healthy. Huge credit to our strength staff and trainers-they helped me get back to a place where I could be out there with my guys.”
Back in early November, head coach Mario Cristobal had called Scott’s injury “significant,” hinting that a return this season was unlikely. But Scott didn’t take that as a final word-he took it as a challenge.
“I saw all the stuff saying I was done for the year,” Scott said. “That fueled me.
I wanted to push the limits and see how far I could go. I wasn’t happy with how things ended for me during the season, but now we’re here, and that’s all that matters.”
While Scott was sidelined, Miami didn’t miss a beat on the scoreboard-winning all three games he missed. But his presence on the field Saturday was a clear reminder of just how much he brings to this defense, not just with his production, but with his leadership and experience.
Still, Scott wasn’t the only defensive back making headlines. Freshman Bryce Fitzgerald, who filled in for Scott during his absence, continued his breakout campaign with two interceptions-including the game-sealing pick with just 24 seconds left on the clock. That gave him six on the season, and solidified his role as a major playmaker in this Miami secondary.
“It was huge for Bryce to get those reps earlier in the year,” Scott said. “Now he’s in more of a rotational role, but he’s still producing.
He’s a guy who just has to be on the field-he’s explosive, and he can flip a game in a heartbeat. Coach Hetherman and Coach Harris are doing a great job finding ways to keep him involved.”
Fitzgerald’s final interception came after Texas A&M had driven the length of the field, threatening to tie or even win the game. But Miami’s defense, tested in these moments all season, stood tall.
“Shoutout to Carson Beck,” Scott said, referencing the Hurricanes’ quarterback. “Every Wednesday in practice, we run that exact situation-two-minute drill, no timeouts, red zone pressure.
We’ve been there. So when it was time to go back out there, we were ready.
It felt just like practice.”
That preparation showed. Miami’s defense dominated the game from start to finish.
They held the Aggies to just 3 points, forced three turnovers, racked up seven sacks, and limited Texas A&M to just 4.3 yards per play. It was a complete performance-physical, disciplined, and relentless.
“I thought our guys executed extremely well,” said defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. “There were a lot of different looks and pre-snap motions to deal with, but our communication was on point.
We knew we had to limit explosive plays, and aside from one early one, we did that. Special teams came up big with a blocked field goal, and the defense just kept responding.”
Hetherman emphasized the tackling and pursuit, especially against a talented group of Aggie playmakers.
“They made us miss at times, but we swarmed to the football. We played inside-out, we rallied, and we got them on the ground. That’s what great defenses do-respond, again and again.”
Now, the Hurricanes move on to the quarterfinals, where they’ll face defending national champion No. 2 Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl on December 31. Miami’s defense is peaking at the right time, and with Scott back in the fold and Fitzgerald emerging as a star in his own right, this unit suddenly looks like one of the most dangerous in the playoff field.
For a team that’s been building toward something special all season, Saturday’s win wasn’t just a statement-it was a warning shot. Miami’s defense is here, it’s healthy, and it’s ready for the next challenge.