UPDATE: In a stunning upset, the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl earlier today, ending Ohio State’s season. This marks a significant blow for the Buckeyes, who finished the year with a 12-2 record after losing their last two games, including the Big Ten Championship against Indiana.
Ohio State faced a challenging first half, failing to score for the first time in nine years. Miami dominated the opening quarter, outgaining Ohio State 110 yards to 9. The Hurricanes struck first with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Carson Beck to Mark Fletcher, capping a lengthy 13-play, 83-yard drive.
Things took a turn for the worse for Ohio State when Julian Sayin‘s screen pass was intercepted by Miami’s Keionte Scott, who returned it 70 yards for a touchdown, extending Miami’s lead to 14-0.
Ohio State finally found the end zone in the second half with a determined drive, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run by Bo Jackson. However, Miami’s kicker Carter Davis quickly responded with a 49-yard field goal, pushing the Hurricanes’ lead back to ten points.
With the score at 17-7, Ohio State’s decision to go for a touchdown on 4th-and-2 paid off when Sayin connected with Jeremiah Smith for a 14-yard touchdown, narrowing the deficit to just three points. However, Miami sealed their victory with a late 5-yard touchdown run from running back CharMar Brown, making it a two-score game with just 55 seconds left.
This loss marks Ohio State’s 0-3 record in College Football Playoff games held on New Year’s Eve and raises questions about head coach Ryan Day‘s future strategies after another playoff disappointment. Day is now 0-2 against Miami’s head coach Mario Cristobal, who previously led Oregon to a victory over Ohio State in 2021.
The Buckeyes also faced critical injuries, with standout players like Lorenzo Styles Jr. and Tegra Tshabola sidelined. Ohio State’s struggles were compounded by a lack of scoring in the first half, leaving fans questioning the offensive game plan.
Looking ahead, Ohio State’s offseason will be critical as they reassess their roster and strategies following this disappointing end to their playoff run. Fans are left wondering how the team will bounce back from such a significant setback.
For now, Miami celebrates a hard-fought victory that propels them further in the quest for the national title, while Ohio State must regroup and plan for next season.
