In a stunning College Football Playoff upset, the tenth-ranked Miami Hurricanes have dethroned the defending national champions, toppling the Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl quarter-final on Wednesday night.
A Defining Pick-Six Seals the Shock Victory
The game's pivotal moment arrived in the first half when Miami's Keionte Scott intercepted a screen pass from Ohio State's Heisman Trophy finalist, Julian Sayin. Scott then sprinted an astonishing 72 yards untouched for a touchdown, extending the Hurricanes' lead and sending their sideline into a frenzy.
"I was full of emotions... That was a pretty cool moment," Scott said post-game. "Just having fun... That's what this team relies on, man, just going out there playing free and just having fun." The play gave Miami a 14-0 advantage, a lead they would not relinquish.
Hurricanes Capitalise on Buckeyes' Rust
Ohio State, the number two seed and overwhelming nine-and-a-half-point favourites, appeared rusty after a long layoff. Their last outing was a 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten championship game on 6 December. Despite a first-round bye, they joined all four teams from last season's inaugural 12-team playoff who lost directly in the quarter-final round.
"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," admitted Buckeyes coach Ryan Day. "I think the guys bought into it. But at the end of the day, we didn't get it done."
Miami's Path to the Final Four
Miami's journey to the College Football Playoff semi-finals is a remarkable story of resilience. The Hurricanes (12-2) needed an at-large berth to enter the 12-team field after missing the ACC championship game. Now, under fourth-year coach Mario Cristobal, they are just one win away from playing for a national title in their home stadium.
"It is 100% not about me," said Cristobal, a former Hurricanes offensive lineman on their 1989 and 1991 title teams. "It is my obligation as a former Miami Hurricane player... to do my best to try to provide these guys with even better opportunities."
The victory was particularly sweet given the program's history; their last national championship was in 2001, and their only other bowl meeting with Ohio State was a painful double-overtime loss in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.
Key Performances and What Comes Next
Miami quarterback Carson Beck, a transfer with championship pedigree from Georgia, was efficient, completing 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. His nine-yard scoring pass to Mark Fletcher Jr. opened the game's scoring. Fletcher, named the game's offensive MVP, also rushed 19 times for 90 yards.
For Ohio State, freshman quarterback Julian Sayin threw for 287 yards and a late touchdown to Jeremiah Smith but was intercepted twice and sacked five times. The 24 points conceded were the most Ohio State allowed all season.
Miami now advances to the Fiesta Bowl semi-final on 8 January, where they will face the winner of the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Ole Miss. The Hurricanes are now tantalisingly close to ending a 23-year national championship drought.
