Miami Hurricanes Stun No. 2 Ohio State 24-14 in Cotton Bowl CFP Quarterfinal Thriller
ARLINGTON, Texas — In a stunning upset, the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes defeated the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, advancing to the semifinals before a packed crowd of 71,323 at AT&T Stadium.[2][1]
Miami jumped out to an early lead, striking first and extending it with a pivotal pick-six in the second quarter. Senior defensive back Keionte Scott intercepted a screen pass in the red zone and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown, a play that shifted momentum and gave the Hurricanes a two-touchdown advantage heading into halftime.[2][1] Scott’s heroics earned him the Felix R. McKnight MVP award for the 90th Classic, setting a CFP Quarterfinal record and marking the second-longest pick-six in collegiate football history.[6]
Key Plays That Defined the Game
- First Quarter: Miami strikes first with an early touchdown, setting the tone.[1]
- Second Quarter: Ohio State misses a field goal before halftime, but Miami’s Scott pick-six extends the lead to 17-0.[1][2]
- Third Quarter: Buckeyes rally with consecutive touchdown drives, cutting the deficit to 17-14, highlighted by Bo Jackson’s score.[1][2]
- Fourth Quarter: Ohio State narrows it further to 17-14 early, but running back CharMar Brown seals it with a clutch touchdown run. A late Miami interception ends Ohio State’s comeback bid.[1]
The Hurricanes dominated the trenches, amassing 153 rushing yards to Ohio State’s meager 45.[2] Quarterback Carson Beck was efficient, completing 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown, while adding 23 rushing yards. He set a Cotton Bowl record with 13 consecutive completions.[2] Running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. (90 yards on 19 carries) and Brown provided the ground attack punch.[1]
For Ohio State, quarterback Julian Saying threw for 287 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 22-of-35 passing, but was sacked five times—a stark contrast to just six sacks all regular season.[1] Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith shone with 157 receiving yards and a score, while Bo Jackson added 55 rushing yards and Ohio State’s other touchdown.[1] Despite the rally, the Buckeyes couldn’t overcome Miami’s defense.[4]
Miami’s Path to the Semifinals
This victory marks Miami’s first CFP semifinal appearance, following their 10-3 first-round win over No. 7 Texas A&M.[3] The Hurricanes (12-2) will face the winner of No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl semifinals on January 8.[1]
Ohio State (12-2), who went 9-0 in Big Ten play, saw their season end short of expectations despite a strong regular season that included wins over Penn State, Michigan, and others.[3][4]
“It was on film. I shot my shot, but that goes to trusting my brothers and coaches,” Scott said post-game. “I was full of emotions.”[2]
Broader CFP Context
The expanded College Football Playoff delivered drama in its quarterfinal round, with Miami’s underdog story stealing the spotlight. The No. 10 seed’s resilience echoes their gritty season, which featured wins over Florida, Florida State, and Pittsburgh, though they stumbled against Louisville and SMU.[3]
| Team | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Total Yards | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 138 | 153 | 291 | 0 |
| Ohio State | 287 | 45 | 332 | 3 |
Reactions and What’s Next
Fans and analysts buzzed about Miami’s defensive stand and Scott’s MVP performance. “Miami shocked Ohio State with a dominant Cotton Bowl quarterfinal win,” Fox Sports reported, highlighting the Hurricanes’ ability to stave off a comeback.[1] The official Cotton Bowl site congratulated Miami on capturing the 2025 CFP Quarterfinal.[5]
As the playoff progresses, all eyes turn to the semifinals. Miami’s momentum could carry them deep into January, proving that seeding means little in this high-stakes format.
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