Full Breakdown
Miami Hurricanes Upset Ohio State Buckeyes in Cotton Bowl Quarterfinal
1/1/2026, 9:06:03 PM
Miami's Historic Victory
In a stunning upset, the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes defeated the defending national champions, the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, 24-14 in the College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl on December 31, 2025. This victory marks Miami's first appearance in the semifinals of the CFP, making them the first double-digit seed to achieve this milestone.
Game Overview
Miami established an early lead, scoring two touchdowns in the first half. The first came from a 9-yard pass from quarterback Carson Beck to running back Mark Fletcher Jr., followed by a pivotal 72-yard interception return for a touchdown by defensive back Keionte Scott. Ohio State struggled offensively, finishing the first half scoreless for the first time since 2016, and recorded negative rushing yards.
Despite a slow start, Ohio State rallied in the second half. They scored on their opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Bo Jackson, narrowing the gap to 14-7. The Buckeyes continued to fight back, with a touchdown pass from Julian Sayin to Jeremiah Smith bringing the score to 17-14. However, Miami sealed the victory with a 5-yard touchdown run from CharMar Brown, followed by an interception from Jakobe Thomas to end Ohio State's hopes.
Key Performers
Jeremiah Smith was a standout for Ohio State, catching seven passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. Julian Sayin completed 22 of 35 passes for 287 yards but struggled with two interceptions and was sacked five times. Miami's Carson Beck was efficient, completing 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown, while also contributing 23 rushing yards.
Miami's defense, led by Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, dominated the line of scrimmage, consistently pressuring Sayin and limiting Ohio State's rushing attack to just 45 yards.
Official Statements & Responses
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day took responsibility for the team's performance, stating, “I take responsibility for not getting the guys ready. We spent an inordinate amount of time putting the plan together to get everybody ready to play in that first half, and we didn't win the first half.” He acknowledged the need for evaluation and improvement moving forward.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal praised his team's performance, emphasizing their physicality and resilience. “We worked really hard during the last three weeks leading up to this game to come out of the gates and win the first quarter, win the first half, be ready to go,” he said.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics pointed to Ohio State's lack of preparation and execution, particularly in the first half. The Buckeyes' offensive line, which had been a strength throughout the season, faltered under Miami's relentless pass rush. Additionally, the decision for Day to take over play-calling duties from Brian Hartline, who was departing for a head coaching position, raised questions about the team's offensive strategy.
What's Next for Both Teams
With this victory, Miami advances to the CFP semifinals, where they will face either No. 3 Georgia or No. 6 Ole Miss on January 8, 2026. For Ohio State, the offseason begins with significant questions regarding roster changes, including the potential departure of key players to the NFL Draft and the need to find a new offensive coordinator.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Miami's victory was celebrated, the loss for Ohio State has sparked discussions about the effectiveness of first-round byes in the new 12-team playoff format, as teams with byes are now 0-5 in quarterfinal matchups. This trend raises questions about the advantages of extended breaks between games.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When you have a start the way that we did, you put yourself at risk of having to be really darn near perfect in the second half to go win the game.” — Ryan Day, Head Coach, Ohio State
- “We worked really hard during the last three weeks leading up to this game to come out of the gates and win the first quarter, win the first half, be ready to go.” — Mario Cristobal, Head Coach, Miami
This loss marks a significant moment for Ohio State, as they must now regroup and address the challenges ahead in the 2026 season.
