College football scores yesterday shocked the nation as Miami stuns Ohio State 24-14 in massive CFP upset, but what happens next will break fans’ hearts

College football scores yesterday proved unforgettable as No. 10 Miami Hurricanes pulled off the biggest upset of the College Football Playoff era. The Hurricanes defeated defending national champion No. 2 Ohio State 24-14 on New Year’s Eve at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, advancing to the CFP semifinals as a double-digit seed for the first time ever. This shocking victory sends Miami to the Fiesta Bowl on January 8.

Miami Stuns Ohio State in Cotton Bowl Quarterfinal

The Hurricanes shocked the football world by dismantling the two-time defending national champion Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal. Miami controlled the line of scrimmage from the opening kickoff, establishing their dominance early. Ohio State struggled to generate offensive momentum in the first quarter, recording their fewest yards in a quarter since 2017.

Carson Beck led a Miami offense that was physical and efficient rather than flashy. The quarterback showcased toughness when he scrambled for 11 yards on a crucial third-and-11 play in the fourth quarter, refusing to give up on the drive. Beck, who backed up Stetson Bennett on Georgia’s championship teams, finally got his playoff starting opportunity and made the most of it.

Defense Dominates as Miami Forces Five Turnovers

Miami’s defense was absolutely suffocating, forcing two interceptions from Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and sacking him five times. The first interception came on a screen pass when Keionte Scott stepped in front and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown. The play gave Miami a commanding 14-0 halftime lead.

Head coach Mario Cristobal praised his defense’s relentless adjustment and counterpunching ability. “Our players kept responding,” Cristobal said. “Our players kept coming with their counterpunch.” The Hurricanes held Ohio State to just 45 rushing yards despite the Buckeyes trying to establish a ground game. With seven tackles for loss and constant pressure in the backfield, Miami’s defensive line dictated the game.

Game Statistics and Performance Metrics

Statistic	Miami	Ohio State
Final Score	24	14
Passing Yards	138	187
Rushing Yards	90	45
Sacks	—	5
Turnovers Forced	2	—

Cristobal’s Second-Half Adjustments Prove Crucial

Ohio State mounted a second-half comeback attempt, closing the gap to 17-14 with 13:28 remaining in the fourth quarter. Mario Cristobal‘s squad showed resilience by matching each Buckeye surge with counterpunches. CharMar Brown, who led Miami with 90 rushing yards on 19 carries, scored a crucial 5-yard touchdown run with just 55 seconds remaining to seal the victory and put the game out of reach.

The final drive consumed 5 minutes and 1 second, demonstrating Miami’s ability to control the line of scrimmage. An interception two plays after Brown’s score cemented the statement victory. Miami’s 24 points represented the most Ohio State allowed all season, underscoring the Hurricanes’ dominant performance.

What Does This Upset Mean for Miami’s Championship Dreams?

Miami’s remarkable run includes winning two consecutive playoff games after an overtime loss to SMU on November 1st devastated their postseason hopes. The Hurricanes first defeated No. 7 Texas A&M at Kyle Field on December 20th, then traveled back to Texas for this epochal victory. Coach Cristobal, who promised to restore Miami to championship status when hired, is delivering on his commitment as the team continues improving in meaningful increments.

“I’ve never been on this stage before. I’ve obviously played at Georgia and played in big games, but I’ve never had the opportunity to be a starting quarterback in the playoffs. I’m taking it in one moment at a time, one play at a time, and just giving everything that I have for this football team.”

— Carson Beck, Miami Hurricanes QB

Next Up: The Fiesta Bowl Awaits

Miami will face either No. 3 Georgia or No. 6 Ole Miss at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8, 2026. The Sugar Bowl matchup between those two schools concludes on January 1st. Miami’s bench remains filled with legendary figures like Jimmy Johnson, the Miami coach who recruited Cristobal as a player and who witnessed this incredible victory from the sidelines.

This seven-day stretch in Texas proved transformational for the Hurricanes. From the despair of a November loss to the heights of defeating the defending champions, Miami has demonstrated championship-caliber football when it matters most.

Sources

• ESPN – “Miami stuns Ohio State in Cotton Bowl, reaches CFP semis”
• USA Today – Miami College Football Playoff quarterfinal coverage
• Official College Football Playoff – Official results and statistics