Miami Stuns Ohio State in Cotton Bowl with Defense, Big Plays, and a Pick-Six for the Ages
ARLINGTON, Texas - Keionte Scott saw it coming before the ball even left Julian Sayin’s hand.
Midway through the first quarter, with Ohio State knocking on the door in the red zone for the first time all night, Sayin - the most accurate passer in college football this season - tried to hit his receiver in the left flat. But Scott, reading the route like a seasoned pro, jumped it. One clean break, one perfect read, and 72 yards later, he was in the end zone untouched, throwing the Cotton Bowl into a frenzy and giving Miami a two-touchdown cushion that would prove pivotal.
That pick-six was the turning point in a game full of them, as Miami pulled off a 24-14 upset over the Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Wednesday night at AT&T Stadium. With the win, the Hurricanes punched their ticket to the Fiesta Bowl on January 8, where they’ll face the winner of Thursday’s Georgia-Ole Miss clash.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. Miami’s defense came ready to play, and they didn’t just contain Ohio State’s high-powered offense; for long stretches, they overwhelmed it.
Early Jabs and a Momentum-Changing Pick
The game opened with both teams trading three-and-outs, a sign that defenses were going to have their say. Miami quarterback Carson Beck missed on a pair of throws to open the night, and defensive end Akheem Mesidor made his presence felt early, ending Ohio State’s first possession with a 10-yard sack.
Miami looked like it might break through on its second drive, but Mark Fletcher Jr. coughed up the ball deep in Buckeye territory. A red zone turnover is a gut punch - but Fletcher didn’t let it linger.
After the fumble, Miami regrouped and went 83 yards on their next drive. Fletcher got his redemption, catching a short pass from Beck and turning it into the game’s first touchdown.
Ohio State nearly answered in a flash. Sayin connected with freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith on a 59-yard bomb that electrified the Buckeyes’ sideline and put them right back in the red zone.
But the Hurricanes’ defense responded with authority. Rueben Bain Jr. sacked Sayin on the very next play, and then came Scott’s game-changing interception return.
From a potential tie game to a two-score Miami lead in a matter of seconds - that’s the kind of swing that defines playoff football.
Hurricanes’ Defense Sets the Tone
Miami’s defense didn’t just make splash plays - they dictated the tempo. The Buckeyes couldn’t get anything going on the ground in the first half and struggled to give Sayin time to operate.
Mesidor and Bain were relentless, combining for 3.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Sayin, usually poised and efficient, was hurried, hit, and uncomfortable for most of the first two quarters.
Even when Ohio State put together a promising drive late in the half, they came up empty. A missed 49-yard field goal by Jayden Fielding kept Miami’s two-touchdown lead intact heading into halftime.
Buckeyes Fight Back, But Miami Closes the Door
To their credit, Ohio State didn’t fold. They came out of the locker room with a renewed sense of urgency, marching 82 yards on the opening drive of the second half. Running back Bo Jackson barely broke the plane, but it was enough to get the Buckeyes on the board.
Miami answered right back. A steady 43-yard drive ended with Carter Davis drilling a 49-yard field goal to push the lead back to 10.
Then came another flash of brilliance from Jeremiah Smith. The former Chaminade-Madonna star - who once nearly chose Miami before sticking with his commitment to Ohio State - made the Hurricanes pay with a 14-yard touchdown grab over the middle early in the fourth. It was part of a monster night for Smith, who finished with seven catches for 157 yards.
With the lead trimmed to three, the pressure was back on Miami. And the Hurricanes rose to the moment.
Clock Control and a Championship Drive
With just under six minutes left, Miami got the ball back and needed to bleed the clock. Fletcher, who had already bounced back from his early fumble, delivered again with tough, clock-chewing runs. Marty Brown added key first downs, and the Hurricanes methodically moved down the field, eating up time and yards.
Brown capped the drive with a touchdown run that stretched the lead back to 10 - and effectively ended Ohio State’s hopes. On the Buckeyes’ final possession, Jakobe Thomas sealed the upset with an interception.
Five Key Takeaways from Miami’s Upset Win
1. Miami’s Pass Rush Was Relentless
The Hurricanes lived in Ohio State’s backfield. Five sacks, constant pressure, and a disrupted rhythm for Sayin - that was the blueprint.
Mesidor and Bain were game-wreckers, and coordinator Corey Hetherman’s scheme kept the Buckeyes guessing.
2. Keionte Scott Is a Game-Changer
Scott’s 72-yard pick-six was the play of the game, but it wasn’t just about that one moment. The first-year Hurricane has been a difference-maker when healthy, and his instincts and ball skills were on full display.
3. Jeremiah Smith Showed Why He’s Special
Smith had a night - 157 yards and a touchdown - and reminded Miami fans of what might have been. He was the Buckeyes’ most dangerous weapon, especially in the second half, but even his brilliance wasn’t enough to overcome Miami’s defensive effort.
4. Fletcher’s Redemption Was Poetic
After fumbling in the red zone early, Fletcher bounced back in a big way. He scored Miami’s first touchdown, ran with purpose all night, and helped ice the game late.
He finished with 90 yards on 19 carries - a workhorse performance.
5. Ohio State Adjusted, But It Was Too Late
The Buckeyes made smart halftime adjustments, particularly in the run game. After managing minus-3 rushing yards in the first half, they found a groove in the second.
Jackson finished with 55 yards and a score, and Smith came alive. But the early damage - and Miami’s late-game execution - proved too much to overcome.
What’s Next
For Miami, the road to a national title continues. They’ll head to the Fiesta Bowl with momentum, confidence, and a defense that just shut down one of the most explosive offenses in the country.
For Ohio State, it’s a bitter end to a season that once looked destined for more. But on this night in Arlington, it was the Hurricanes who made the big plays, controlled the trenches, and walked away with a playoff win that won’t soon be forgotten.