Miami upsets Ohio State: Hurricanes ride big-play defense in Cotton Bowl win, advance to CFP semifinals

The Hurricanes pulled off the first shocker of the College Football Playoff by knocking off last year's champ

ARLINGTON, Texas -- No. 10 Miami stunned No. 2 Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday night to pull their second straight upset and advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Hurricanes await the winner of Georgia-Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl. 

The Hurricanes needed a few late plays to put the game away and the offense came through. Quarterback Carson Beck found CharMar Brown for a conversion on third-and-3 to keep the game going, and then hit CJ Daniels for a conversion on third-and-4 in the red zone to set up a game-sealing touchdown run from Brown. 

Miami's defense dominated the first half as star defensive line duo Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain combined for three sacks. Until the final drive of the half, Ohio State did not have a drive longer than five plays. Defensive back Keionte Scott had one of the plays of the game, picking off Sayin and returning it 72 yards for a touchdown to hand Ohio State its biggest deficit since 2022. 

However, the Buckeyes fought back behind the electric Jeremiah Smith. The sophomore had a critical 14-yard touchdown on fourth-and-2 to give the Buckeyes a chance late, but a holding call stymied another drive. Ohio State had one last chance to get back into the game, but Jacoby Thomas intercepted a Sayin pass to end the game. 

Beck threw for 138 yards and rushed for 23 yards in a clutch effort. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. posted 90 yards rushing, 25 yards receiving and a touchdown. Sayin threw for 287 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in the loss. 

Ohio State became the fifth straight team with a first-round bye to lose since the College Football Playoff moved to 12 teams. Miami now moves on to the semifinals for the first time in program history. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 11:05 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

For years, Miami has shrunk in the program's biggest moments. The Hurricanes have not won a conference championship since moving to the ACC in 2003, including blowing a chance this year. They haven't played in a major bowl game since 2017. Frankly, they've squandered numerous close game opportunities. 

After beating Ohio State, the reigning national champions, all of those moments are secondary. The Hurricanes established themselves as a serious national championship contender, not just for now, but heading forward. 

More than 20 years ago, Ohio State beat Miami in a title game that ultimately sent these two programs in different directions. After the win today, Miami has a chance to return to the national elite. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 10:53 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith first wrote his legend in the first two rounds of the College Football Playoff last season. In his first playoff game of the 2025-26 season, the superstar Buckeye played one of the best games of his career. 

On one key play, Ryan Day called Smith's number on fourth-and-2 for a 14-yard touchdown catch. The play helped cut the game to one score and changed the complexion of the game. Later on third-and-15, Smith caught a 16-yard pass to keep the chains moving. 

Smith finished with seven catches for 157 yards and a touchdown for one of the best games of his career, but his teammates fell short in the loss. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 10:53 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

The Hurricanes' defensive line duo has been the story all season, but their first-half effort proved the difference. Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain got consistent pressure on Julian Sayin, forcing him into skittish throws and sacking him three times. 

Ohio State managed to get back into the game thanks to the effort from Jeremiah Smith, but the defense forced a holding call that ended another drive and sacked Sayin twice more. Holding the Buckeyes to 45 total yards rushing was the difference. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 10:50 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Final: Miami 24, Ohio State 14

No. 10 Miami stunned No. 2 Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl to pull their second straight upset and advance to the national semifinals. The Hurricanes await the winner of Georgia-Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl. 

The Hurricanes needed a few late plays to put the game away and the offense came through. Quarterback Carson Beck found CharMar Brown for a conversion on third-and-three to keep the game going, and then hit CJ Daniels for a conversion on third-and-four in the red zone to set up a game-ealing touchdown run from Brown. 

Miami's defense dominated the first half as star defensive line duo Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain combined for three sacks. Until the final drive of the half, Ohio State did not have a drive longer than five plays. Defensive back Keionte Scott had one of the plays of the game, picking off Sayin and returning it 72 yards for a touchdown to hand Ohio State its biggest deficit since 2022. 

However, the Buckeyes fought back behind the electric Jeremiah Smith. The sophomore had a critical 14-yard touchdown on fourth-and-two to give the Buckeyes a chance late, but a holding call stymied another drive. Ohio State had one last chance to get back into the game, but Jacoby Thomas intercepted a Sayin pass to end the game. 

Beck threw for 138 yards and rushed for 23 yards in a clutch effort. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. posted 90 yards rushing, 25 yards receiving and a touchdown. Sayin threw for 287 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in the loss. 

Ohio State became the fifth straight team with a first-round bye to lose since the College Football Playoff moved to 12 teams. Miami now moves on to the national semifinals for the first time in program history. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 10:37 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

The Hurricanes lead late in the fourth quarter and are trying to hold off a furious Ohio State run. Quarterback Carson Beck found CharMar Brown for a critical conversion on third-and-five. Brown added a 13-yard run late in the period to take Miami into the two-minute timeout. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 10:21 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Ohio State's defense got the first stop of the second half after Cayden Curry hurried Carson Beck on a third down pass. Miami mustered only a 36-yard punt, giving the Buckeyes solid starting field position at the 25-yard line. Ohio State has a chance to take over. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 10:12 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

4Q: Miami 17, Ohio State 14

Ohio State coach Ryan Day made a gutsy call, going for it on fourth-and-2 from inside the red zone instead of cutting the lead to one score. Naturally, Jeremiah Smith broke through and caught a crossing route through multiple defenders for a 14-yard touchdown. 

The Buckeyes have gone on a 14-3 run in the second half. All three combined drives between the two teams have ended with points. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 10:08 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

End 3Q: Miami 17, Ohio State 7

Ohio State finally managed to put together some consistent offensive drives in the third quarter and get on the board, but the Hurricanes remain in control heading into the fourth quarter. 

With the offense sputtering, Ohio State has turned to star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The sophomore has five catches for 127 yards, including a back shoulder throw from Julian Sayin for 22 yards to get the Buckeyes into scoring position. 

Miami's defensive line dominated the first two quarters, but quieted down in the third. The Hurricanes failed to get consistent pressure on Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. Running back Mark Fletcher has run the ball hard, and Malachi Toney had a catch to set up a 49-yard field goal by Carter Davis to extend the lead to two scores. 

Ohio State has the ball on the opposing 21-yard line with the chance to cut the lead to one score early in the fourth quarter. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 9:57 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

3Q: Miami 17, Ohio State 7

The Hurricanes managed to get back on the board after a strong nine-play, 43-yard drive to start the second half and keep the lead at two scores. On one sequence, Malachi Toney caught a seven-yard pass, fumbled it and recovered to set up the 49-yard attempt that Carter Davis nailed through the uprights. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 9:42 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

3Q: Miami 14, Ohio State 7

The Buckeyes got the ball to start the second half and put together a physical drive to go 81 yards for a touchdown. The drive took nearly seven minutes to set up a 1-yard touchdown run from Bo Jackson to cut the lead in half. 

Prior to the final drive of the first half, Ohio State did not have a drive longer than five plays. In their last two drives, Ohio State has gone 23 plays for 149 yards to twice get into scoring position, converting once. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 9:10 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Half: Miami 14, Ohio State 0

No. 10 Miami dominated the first half of the Cotton Bowl against No. 2 Ohio State thanks to a sensational defensive effort. The Buckeyes managed to set up a late field goal attempt to end the first half, but the kick went wide left. 

The Hurricanes' defensive line was dominant in the period. Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain collected a combined three sacks and lived in Julian Sayin's face. The Buckeyes have -3 yards rushing in the period, only getting 26 yards from running backs.

Miami's offense leaned on running back Mark Fletcher Jr. for the second straight week. The junior has 44 yards rushing, 25 yards receiving and a touchdown to continue his strong start to the playoff. Quarterback Carson Beck also set a Cotton Bowl record with 13 straight completions, but he has only 98 yards. 

Sixty-seven out of Ohio State's 154 yards came on the final two-minute drive of the first half. The Buckeyes get the ball to start the second half. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 8:34 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Miami's defensive line has dominated Ohio State, especially the combination of Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain. Mesidor picked up his second sack on the most recent drive, and Bain got one of his own. Ohio State is down a starting lineman, and the Buckeyes look overwhelmed. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 8:27 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

2Q: Miami 14, Ohio State 0

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin had about the biggest swing that a player could have in a two-play period. Sayin connected with All-American receiver Jeremiah Smith for a 59-yard downfield pass to get into scoring position. After a sack from Rueben Bain, Sayin threw an out that was intercepted by Keionte Scott and returned 72 yards for a pick-6.

[Dec 31, 2025 at 8:20 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

2Q: Miami 7, Ohio State 0

Miami got on the board first as Carson Beck found Mark Fletcher on a swing route for a nine-yard touchdown. Fletcher has been massive for the second game in a row, recording 60 all-purpose yards in the first 17 minutes of game time. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 8:13 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

End 1Q: Miami 0, Ohio State 0

No. 10 Miami outplayed No. 2 Ohio State in the first quarter of the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal, and the score remains 0-0. The Hurricanes held the Buckeyes to only nine yards and dominated the battle in the trenches. 

For the second game in a row, the Hurricanes are leaning on star running back Mark Fletcher. He has seven carries for 30 yards and another catch-and-run for 16 yards to help twice push Miami into scoring position. 

However, the story has been the Miami defense. Defensive end Akheem Mesidor got the first hit on quarterback Julian Sayin, and All-American Rueben Bain was close behind. Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith has a 10-yard reception, but Sayin is only 1-of-3 passing. 

The Hurricanes have the ball in the Ohio State red zone with a chance to score early in the second quarter. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 7:57 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Miami was driving the length of the field, leaning on a lengthy catch-and-run from running back Mark Fletcher to get deep into opposing territory. But on the edge of the red zone, Fletcher fumbled on a carry, which was forced and recovered by Payton Pierce from Ohio State. The Buckeyes saved points with that effort. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 7:49 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Ohio State forced a three-and-out on the first drive, and the Hurricanes got the Buckeyes into third-and-7 deep in their own territory. Right away, star pass rushing duo Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain made their presences felt, exploding through the line and sacking Sayin for a huge loss. The Hurricanes get the ball near their own 40-yard line, great field position to try and put together a second drive. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 7:40 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Ohio State won the toss and opted to defer to the second half. Miami will start hoping to get off to a faster start than they did against Texas A&M. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 7:35 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Ohio State and Miami are going through pregame introductions and the crowd is making their allegiance clear. Buckeyes fans have taken over probably around 75% of the stadium and rained loud boos during Miami's introductions. This is the second time in 2025 that Ohio State is playing in the Cotton Bowl after beating Texas in the national semifinals last year. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 7:00 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

The Hurricanes have talent all over the field and may even hold a slight advantage in the trenches, but Ohio State is simply stacked. The firepower of the Buckeyes offense has barely been put on full display yet as Ohio State cruised through most of its 2025 schedule. While Miami could cause some complications with its pass rush, the Buckeyes will make enough plays to put this game away. Pick: Ohio State -9.5

Ohio State vs. Miami prediction, pick, spread, odds: Buckeyes, Hurricanes meet in Cotton Bowl CFP quarterfinal

Shehan Jeyarajah

[Dec 31, 2025 at 6:30 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

The matchup between Ohio State and Miami features arguably the best trench matchup of the whole playoff. Both teams have unanimous All-Americans on the defensive line, with Miami's Rueben Bain and Ohio State's Kayden McDonald leading the way. Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa also earned unanimous honors after a sensational season. 

However, neither team has played an opposing unit quite like what they're about to face. The Hurricanes shut down All-American defensive end Cashius Howell against Texas A&M, but the Buckeyes have far more playmakers to cause trouble.

[Dec 31, 2025 at 6:00 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. had a solid season, but the junior's effort against Texas A&M changed the game. On the game-deciding drive, Fletcher broke off a 56-yard run to open up the offense and was handed the ball on the next four plays for 19 yards. The sequence ultimately ended with Malachi Toney taking a pop pass into the end zone for a game-winning touchdown. 

Fletcher finished with 17 carries for 172 yards in the sensational effort. Against Ohio State's stacked defensive line, Miami should lean more heavily on Fletcher from the start. 

[Dec 31, 2025 at 5:30 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Miami

• Out: DB Damari Brown, LB Malik Bryant, WR Deylyn Upshaw, DL Donta Simpson

Ohio State

• Out: S Malik Hartford, WR Quincy Porter, QB Mason Maggs, DL Logan George
• Doubtful: DL AHmed Tounkara, OL Tegra Tshabola

[Dec 31, 2025 at 5:00 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is regarded as the best at his position in college football. But if Miami was competing for national championships, could Smith have stayed closer to home and played for his home South Florida program? It's possible. 

Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith says he 'most likely' would have signed with Miami if the program was better

Bryan DeArdo