Miami Hurricanes Stun Ohio State to End Buckeyes’ Title Defense in CFP Quarterfinal
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Miami Hurricanes delivered one of the most stunning upsets in recent College Football Playoff history on Wednesday night, defeating the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl Classic quarterfinal. The victory not only ended Ohio State’s hopes of back-to-back titles but also marked Miami as the first double-digit seed to reach the CFP semifinals.
From the opening kickoff, the game was a physical, back-and-forth battle with both teams exchanging punishing hits and momentum swings. Miami’s resilience was on full display, especially in the second quarter when quarterback Carson Beck executed a clever fake run before connecting with running back Mark Fletcher Jr. for a short touchdown pass, putting the Hurricanes ahead 7-0 early.
Ohio State’s struggles were compounded moments later when Miami’s Keionte Scott intercepted Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin and returned it for a touchdown, extending Miami’s lead to 14-0. Despite Ohio State missing a field goal before halftime, Miami entered the locker room with a commanding advantage.
Ohio State fought back in the third quarter, with Sayin engineering an 11-play, 82-yard drive capped by a touchdown run from Bo Jackson. The Buckeyes followed with another touchdown reception by Jeremiah Smith, narrowing the deficit to just three points after Miami added a field goal.
However, Miami’s defense held strong, and the Hurricanes’ offense refused to relent. In the closing minutes, running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and CharMar Brown powered Miami’s final drive, with Beck finding wide receiver C.J. Daniels for a crucial first down under two minutes remaining. Brown then sealed the upset with a touchdown run with 55 seconds left on the clock.
Ohio State’s final drive ended abruptly when Sayin threw an interception, cementing Miami’s victory and sending shockwaves through the college football world. The Hurricanes’ triumph silenced critics who questioned their inclusion in the playoff and underscored the unpredictability of the postseason.
Miami’s historic win advances them to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the other quarterfinal matchups. The College Football Playoff continues to captivate fans nationwide, with this upset serving as a reminder that no team’s fate is guaranteed.
For more on the College Football Playoff and game details, visit the NCAA official site and the College Football Playoff rankings. Game statistics and highlights are available through the ESPN College Football section and the Fox Sports College Football page.
Leave a Reply