At a Glance
- Miami shocked Ohio State 24-14 in the CFP quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl.
- Keionte Scott’s 72-yard interception return sealed the win.
- Hurricanes now one game away from a national title in their home stadium.
- Why it matters: The win keeps Miami’s championship hopes alive and forces a Fiesta Bowl showdown.
In a College Football Playoff quarterfinal that turned into a Miami statement, the Hurricanes routed defending champions Ohio State 24-14 at the Cotton Bowl, thanks to a 72-yard pick-six and a series of early scores.
Key Plays and Stats
Scott’s interception return and Beck’s touchdown pass gave Miami a 14-0 lead before the first quarter ended. Beck completed 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards and set a Cotton Bowl record with 13 consecutive completions. Ohio State’s freshman quarterback Julian Sayin finished 22-of-35 for 287 yards, two interceptions, and a touchdown to Jeremiah Smith.
- Keionte Scott: 72-yard interception return, 1 touchdown
- Carson Beck: 19 completions, 138 yards, 1 touchdown
- Julian Sayin: 287 yards, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown
Game Impact and Next Steps
With the win, the Hurricanes move to 13-2 and sit one victory from a national title in their home stadium. They will face either Georgia or Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8. Ohio State will begin the 2026 season at home against Ball State on Sept. 5.
| Player | Team | Passing Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson Beck | Miami | 138 | 1 | 0 |
| Julian Sayin | Ohio State | 287 | 1 | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Miami’s 24-14 win keeps their championship hopes alive.
- Keionte Scott’s 72-yard pick-six was the game-changing play.
- Hurricanes will face Georgia or Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8.
Miami’s victory cements their place in the College Football Playoff and sets the stage for a dramatic semifinal showdown, while Ohio State’s loss ends their bid for consecutive championships.
