Source: CNN Sports News – https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/31/sport/football-cfp-miami-ohio-state-cotton-bowl
Miami defeated Ohio State 24 to 14 in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl. The game took place on Wednesday night. Miami came in as the No. 10 seed. Ohio State was the defending national champion and the No. 2 seed.
Miami’s defense played a key role. Keionte Scott returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown in the first half. This score gave Miami a 14 to 0 lead. The interception happened on a quick screen pass thrown by Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. Scott recorded his second interception return touchdown of the season.
Quarterback Carson Beck led Miami’s offense. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown. His touchdown pass went to Mark Fletcher Jr. Fletcher also ran the ball 19 times for 90 yards. Beck set a Cotton Bowl record with 13 consecutive completions during the game.
Miami added points with a 49-yard field goal by Carter Davis in the third quarter. ChaMar Brown scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown in the final minute. The Hurricanes finished with the highest point total allowed by Ohio State this season.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin passed for 287 yards. He threw two interceptions and one touchdown. He was sacked five times. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught seven passes for 157 yards and scored on a fourth-down reception.
Miami improved to 12 and 2. The team advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Miami will face Georgia or Ole Miss at the Fiesta Bowl on January 8. Ohio State finished the season 12 and 2.
