At a Glance
- Miami defeats Ohio State 24-14 in CFP quarterfinal at Cotton Bowl.
- Keionte Scott returns interception 72 yards for a touchdown.
- Carson Beck throws a 9-yard scoring pass to Mark Fletcher Jr.
- Why it matters: The victory propels Miami to 12-2 and a CFP semifinal berth.
Miami’s dominant win over the defending champions Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl was highlighted by a 72-yard interception return for a touchdown by Keionte Scott and a 9-yard pass from Carson Beck to Mark Fletcher Jr. The Hurricanes now sit at 12-2 and will face a top-seeded opponent in the Fiesta Bowl.
Miami’s Dominant Victory
The 24-point margin was the most Ohio State had allowed all season. A 49-yard field goal by Carter Davis in the third quarter and a 5-yard touchdown run by ChaMar Brown in the final minute sealed the win. Miami’s defense forced two fumbles and intercepted a pass from Julian Sayin.
Key Player Performances
- Keionte Scott – 72-yard interception return for a touchdown.
- Carson Beck – 19 of 26 passes, 138 yards, 9-yard TD to Mark Fletcher Jr.
- Mark Fletcher Jr. – 19 carries, 90 yards.
- Julian Sayin – 287 yards, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown.
- Jeremiah Smith – 157 yards, 1 touchdown.
| Player | Key Play | Yards/Score |
|---|---|---|
| Keionte Scott | Interception return | 72-yard TD |
| Carson Beck | Passing TD | 9-yard pass to Mark Fletcher Jr |
| Mark Fletcher Jr. | Rushing | 19 carries, 90 yards |
| Julian Sayin | Passing | 287 yards, 2 INT, 1 TD |
| Jeremiah Smith | Receiving | 157 yards, 1 TD |
The Hurricanes have won six straight games since an overtime loss to SMU on Nov. 1 and won their first-round CFP game 10-3 over No. 7 Texas A&M.
Looking Ahead
- Miami will await the Fiesta Bowl matchup against No. 3 seed Georgia or No. 6 seed Ole Miss.
- Ohio State is scheduled to open the 2026 season at home against Ball State on Sept. 5.
Key Takeaways
- Miami’s 24-14 win keeps the national title dream alive at home.
- Scott’s interception return and Beck’s touchdown pass were decisive plays.
- The Hurricanes now face a top-seeded opponent in the Fiesta Bowl.
The victory marks a pivotal moment for Miami as they move closer to a national championship on familiar turf.
