ARLINGTON, Texas — In an exciting Cotton Bowl matchup, No. 10 Miami stunned No. 2 Ohio State with a 24-14 victory. This marks Miami’s second consecutive upset, sending them into the College Football Playoff semifinals for the first time in their history. They will face the winner of the Georgia-Ole Miss game in the Fiesta Bowl.
The game was tightly contested, but Miami’s offense made crucial plays when it mattered most. Quarterback Carson Beck connected with CharMar Brown for a key third-down conversion, then threw to CJ Daniels to help set up a decisive touchdown run by Brown.
Defensively, Miami was relentless in the first half. Standout defensive linemen Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain joined forces for three sacks, keeping Ohio State on their toes. Until the final moments of the half, Ohio State struggled to find their rhythm, managing no drive longer than five plays. Keionte Scott made a game-changing play with a 72-yard interception return for a touchdown, leaving Ohio State trailing by the largest margin they had faced since 2022.
Ohio State, however, didn’t give up. Jeremiah Smith, a standout sophomore, scored a crucial 14-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-2, igniting hope for the Buckeyes. They had a chance to narrow the gap further, but a holding call interrupted their momentum. The game ultimately ended with Jacoby Thomas intercepting a pass from Ohio State’s quarterback, Sayin.
Beck finished the night with 138 passing yards and added 23 rushing yards, while running back Mark Fletcher Jr. contributed 90 rushing yards along with a touchdown. Conversely, Sayin ended up with 287 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
This loss for Ohio State underscores a trend in the College Football Playoff. They are now the fifth consecutive team with a first-round bye to fall in this round since the playoff format expanded to 12 teams. It raises questions about the advantages of a bye week, as exhaustion levels can climb significantly during the long season, impacting team performance.
This matchup reflects a shift in college football dynamics. Miami’s win not only highlights their growth as a program but also emphasizes the unpredictability of playoff football. As fans cheer for their favorite teams on social media, reactions have ranged from disbelief to celebration, showcasing how passionate college football is. Historical comparisons can be made to previous upsets that have shaken the college football world, reminding us that anything can happen on game day.
As Miami prepares for their upcoming run, it will be fascinating to see how they build on this momentum. Their performance has captured the attention of college football experts, and many are watching closely to see if they can continue their surprising journey through the playoffs.
For more details on this exciting matchup and the implications for college football, you can find additional insights from sources like ESPN and NCAA Football [here](https://www.espn.com/college-football/).
Source link
Ohio State vs. Miami score,Ohio State vs. Miami game recap,Cotton Bowl,College Football Playoff scores,College Football Playoff results,College Football,Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes,Ohio State Buckeyes
