In a dramatic New Year’s Eve showdown at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes upset the defending national champion No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, earning a 24–14 victory in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Miami, an at-large entry that didn’t play in the ACC championship game, silenced doubters with a complete team effort — dominating early, defending fiercely, and striking with timely plays that ultimately decided a game that many expected Ohio State to control.
Early Advantage and Momentum Shift
The Hurricanes drew first blood in the second quarter as quarterback Carson Beck connected with Mark Fletcher Jr. on a nine-yard touchdown pass, capping an 83-yard drive that showcased Miami’s balanced offensive attack. A short time later, Miami’s defense delivered the game’s most electrifying play: Keionte Scott intercepted a screen pass and sprinted 72 yards for a touchdown, giving the Hurricanes a commanding 14-0 lead going into halftime.
The pick-six not only provided a critical cushion but also swung momentum emphatically in Miami’s favor, energizing the Hurricanes’ sideline and deflating a Buckeyes squad that came in as double-digit favorites.
Defense Sets the Tone
Miami’s defense was arguably the deciding factor in the game. They pressured Ohio State’s quarterback, sacked him multiple times, and limited big plays throughout the contest. The unit’s discipline and intensity kept the Buckeyes’ high-powered offense — which had been one of the nation’s most consistent — off balance all night.
Despite Ohio State’s efforts to rally in the second half, Miami’s defense stood tall. The Buckeyes managed to cut into the lead with a third-quarter score and later added a fourth-quarter touchdown to make it 17-14, but Miami responded steadily and prevented further damage.
Sealing the Win
With the game still in doubt late in the fourth quarter, Miami drove 70 yards in the final two minutes, culminating in a five-yard touchdown run by CharMar Brown that sealed the 24–14 victory and sent the Hurricanes into celebration.
Beck finished the night with a poised performance — completing 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown — while Fletcher’s rushing and receiving combined for a strong day as Miami’s offensive MVP
A Statement Win and Bigger Stage Ahead
The triumph was significant not just as an upset of the defending champions but as a milestone in Miami’s resurgence. The Hurricanes became the first double-digit seed to reach the College Football Playoff semifinals in the expanded 12-team era, cementing their status as a legitimate national contender.
Miami will now advance to the CFP semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl, where they’ll take on either Georgia or Ole Miss with dreams of a College Football Playoff title still alive.