(BCSNN | UPI) - As the rest of the country counted down the final hours of 2025, Miami gave its fans a celebration of its own - a College Football Playoff upset that will echo through program history.
No. 10 Miami delivered a suffocating defensive performance and a pair of clutch touchdown drives to knock off second‑ranked and defending national champion Ohio State 24–14 in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl on Saturday before 71,323 at AT&T Stadium. The win sends the Hurricanes (12–2) to the CFP Semifinals at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8 and marks the program’s first 12‑win season since 2002.
Miami’s defense set the tone early and never relented. The Hurricanes forced two turnovers - including a 72‑yard pick‑six by cornerback Keionte Scott - racked up five sacks, and held the Buckeyes to just 45 rushing yards and 3‑for‑10 on third down. It was the most complete defensive effort Miami has produced under head coach Mario Cristobal, and the most points Ohio State has allowed all season.
Quarterback Carson Beck was steady and efficient, completing 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown while setting a Cotton Bowl record with 13 straight completions. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. delivered his second straight postseason gem, rushing for 90 yards on 19 carries and adding a nine‑yard touchdown reception. Wideouts CJ Daniels, Keelan Marion, and Malachi Toney each caught five passes, with Toney becoming just the seventh Hurricane ever to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
Scott finished with four tackles and the game‑changing interception return, earning Defensive MVP honors. Fletcher was named Offensive MVP.
Ohio State (12–2) leaned heavily on quarterback Julian Sayin, who threw for 287 yards and a touchdown but also tossed two costly interceptions. Star receiver Jeremiah Smith was spectacular with seven catches for 157 yards and a score, but the Buckeyes never found balance and never led.
After both defenses opened with three‑and‑outs, Miami struck first with a methodical 13‑play, 83‑yard drive capped by Fletcher’s touchdown reception. On the next OSU possession, Sayin hit Smith for 59 yards, but two plays later Scott jumped a route and sprinted 72 yards untouched to give Miami a 14–0 lead - Ohio State’s largest deficit of the season.
The Buckeyes threatened late in the half, but a 49‑yard field goal attempt hooked left, and Miami carried a two‑score lead into the locker room. Ohio State had minus‑three rushing yards at halftime.
The Buckeyes opened the second half with a touchdown drive, slicing the lead to 14–7, but Miami responded with a 49‑yard field goal from Carter Davis. Sayin and Smith connected again on a fourth‑down crossing route to make it 17–14 early in the fourth quarter.
From there, Miami’s offense delivered the drive of the season.
Starting at their own 30 with 5:56 remaining, the Hurricanes marched 70 yards in 10 plays. Beck converted a key third down to Daniels, Marty Brown ripped off a 13‑yard run, and Brown finished the drive with a five‑yard touchdown to put the game out of reach. Safety Jakobe Thomas sealed the win with a late interception.
Miami now heads west to Glendale, where the Hurricanes will face the winner of the Sugar Bowl matchup between No. 3 Georgia and No. 6 Ole Miss.
A new year. A new semifinal. And a Miami team playing its best football at the perfect time.
