Bowl game scores from last night revealed a stunning upset that will reshape the College Football Playoff landscape. The #10 Miami Hurricanes shocked defending national champion Ohio State, dominating the Cotton Bowl with a 24-14 victory in the CFP quarterfinal. This was the biggest upset in College Football Playoff history, with Miami entering as a 9.5-point underdog.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Miami defeated Ohio State 24-14 on December 31, 2025, in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium
- Keionte Scott returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown to put Miami up 14-0 in the second quarter
- Miami led 14-0 at halftime, overcoming the defending national champions’ early struggles
- Miami advances to the Fiesta Bowl semifinal to face either #3 Georgia or #6 Ole Miss on January 8
How Miami Dominated the Cotton Bowl Against Ohio State
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The Hurricanes’ defense was absolutely suffocating throughout the game. Miami started strong and built an insurmountable 14-0 halftime lead that proved too much for the Buckeyes to overcome. The game was played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with 71,323 fans in attendance on a historic New Year’s Eve night.
Carson Beck led the Miami offense efficiently, completing 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards and 1 touchdown. The Hurricanes’ balanced attack featured strong rushing from Mark Fletcher Jr., who carried the ball 19 times. Miami controlled the clock with 33:20 of possession time, limiting Ohio State’s opportunities.
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The turning point came early in the second quarter when defensive back Keionte Scott intercepted a screen pass from Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and returned it 72 yards untouched for a touchdown. According to ESPN, Scott peeked over at the Miami sideline to see the reaction of his teammates as he sprinted down the field. This highlight-reel play effectively ended the game as a contest.
Miami’s defense forced a total of 2 Ohio State turnovers, with Scott’s interception return being the most impactful. Fletcher Jr. also contributed an earlier touchdown, catching a 9-yard scoring pass from Carson Beck with 13:31 remaining in the second quarter. By halftime, Miami had completely controlled the defending champion offense.
Final Scoring Breakdown and Game Statistics
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Miami | 0 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
| Ohio State | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
Miami’s kicker Carter Davis made his presence felt with a 49-yard field goal in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, running back CharMar Brown sealed the upset with a 5-yard touchdown run with 0:55 remaining. Ohio State fought back with touchdowns from Bo Jackson (1-yard run) and Jeremiah Smith (14-yard receiving), but it came too late.
Ohio State’s Historic Collapse and Missed Opportunities
Ohio State quarterterback Julian Sayin threw 2 interceptions while completing 22 of 35 passes for 287 yards and 1 touchdown. Head coach Ryan Day later took blame for Ohio State’s disastrous start, acknowledging the Buckeyes’ inability to adjust early. The defending national champions managed only 332 total yards of offense compared to Miami’s 291 yards.
The Buckeyes converted just 3 of 10 third-down attempts and struggled in the trenches. Ohio State also committed 2 penalties for 15 yards, while Miami played a penalty-free game. The defensive performance by Miami’s front seven completely disrupted Ohio State’s offensive rhythm throughout the entire contest.
What This Upset Means for the College Football Playoff?
Miami’s victory sends the Hurricanes to the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on January 8 against either #3 Georgia or #6 Ole Miss. This represents one of the most shocking results in CFP history, with ninth-place seed Miami knocking off the top defensive team in the nation. The victory proves the Hurricanes are capable of competing at the highest level despite their regular season record.
Ohio State’s loss marks the defending national champion’s exit from playoff contention. The Buckeyes finished with a 12-2 record, unable to defend their title after a stunning upset loss on New Year’s Eve. Miami’s success could inspire other lower-seeded teams as the playoff progresses through the semifinals.
Watch the Full Highlights
Sources
- ESPN – Complete game coverage and official stats
- College Football Playoff Official – Verified game recap and advancement details
- USA Today – Game updates and analysis
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.