The silence in AT&T Stadium was heavy. You could almost hear the collective heartbreak of thousands of traveling fans from Columbus as the clock hit zero. When the dust finally settled on December 31, 2025, the final score of Ohio State football game was Miami 24, Ohio State 14.
It wasn't supposed to go down like this. Not for the defending national champions. Not for a team led by a Heisman finalist. But in the chaos of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, the Buckeyes found themselves on the wrong side of history.
What Happened in the Cotton Bowl?
Honestly, the first quarter was a bit of a slog. Neither team could find a rhythm, and it felt like one of those defensive chess matches that eventually breaks open. It did—just not for the Buckeyes.
The turning point was arguably Keionte Scott’s 72-yard interception return in the second quarter. He jumped a screen pass from Julian Sayin and basically sprinted untouched to the house. That single play put Miami up 14-0 and forced Ohio State into a hole they hadn’t really faced all year.
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Sayin, despite the pick, actually threw for 287 yards. Jeremiah Smith was his usual incredible self, hauling in a 14-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to bring the Buckeyes within three points. For a second there, you’ve probably thought they were going to pull off the comeback. But the ground game was just nonexistent. Bo Jackson was held to only 55 yards, and as a team, Ohio State only managed 45 rushing yards. You can’t win playoff games when you’re that one-dimensional.
The Scoring Breakdown
- 2nd Quarter: Miami’s Mark Fletcher Jr. caught a 9-yard TD from Carson Beck.
- 2nd Quarter: Keionte Scott’s back-breaking 72-yard pick-six.
- 3rd Quarter: Bo Jackson finally got OSU on the board with a 1-yard plunge.
- 3rd Quarter: Carter Davis nailed a 49-yard field goal for the Hurricanes.
- 4th Quarter: Julian Sayin found Jeremiah Smith for a 14-yard TD.
- 4th Quarter: ChaMar Brown iced it with a 5-yard TD run for Miami with under a minute left.
Why the Ground Game Vanished
If you're looking for someone to blame, start with the trenches. Miami’s defensive front was relentless. They sacked Sayin five times. Five! The Buckeyes' offensive line, which had been a pillar of strength all season, looked sorta shell-shocked by the speed of the Hurricanes’ pass rush.
Akheem Mesidor was a nightmare off the edge for Miami, racking up two sacks and living in the Ohio State backfield. When you can't run the ball and your quarterback is constantly checking his internal clock, the offense stalls. It’s that simple. OSU went 8-of-15 on third downs, which isn't terrible, but they were just 3-of-10 on fourth-down attempts. Those failed conversions are where the game was lost.
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Looking Ahead to the 2026 Schedule
The sting of that 24-14 loss is going to linger through the spring, but the 2026 slate is already looking spicy. If you're planning your Saturdays for next fall, here’s what the early landscape looks like for the Buckeyes:
- September 5: Ball State at Ohio Stadium.
- September 12: A massive road trip to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns.
- September 19: Kent State comes to Columbus.
The Big Ten schedule for 2026 is still getting its final polish, but we know the heavy hitters are on deck. There are dates pending for matchups against Michigan, Oregon, and a road trip to USC. After the way this season ended, the pressure on Ryan Day and Julian Sayin is going to be through the roof from day one.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Loss
Some fans are calling for a complete overhaul, but let’s be real. This was a 12-1 team heading into that game. They beat Michigan 27-9. They destroyed Penn State 38-14. One bad night in Arlington doesn’t mean the program is crumbling.
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The reality is that the new 12-team (and now expanded) playoff format creates these high-variance outcomes. Miami was a No. 10 seed that got hot at the right time. They played a perfect defensive game, and Ohio State had their worst offensive outing of the year at the worst possible moment.
Actionable Steps for Buckeye Fans
If you're still processing the final score of Ohio state football game, here is what you should be watching over the next few months:
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: With several key defensive starters likely heading to the NFL, the Buckeyes will need to be aggressive in finding veteran depth, especially on the defensive line.
- Spring Game Progression: Keep a close eye on the development of the young offensive linemen. The Cotton Bowl proved that the unit needs more depth and better pass protection against elite speed.
- Recruiting Trail: Jeremiah Smith is a superstar, but the Buckeyes need to ensure the 2026 class brings in another wave of elite "edge-setters" to prevent the kind of rushing stalemates we saw against Miami.
- Ticket Strategy: Given the Texas game is in Week 2, travel packages and tickets for Austin are going to be astronomical. If you're planning to go, start booking your lodging now before the "Longhorn premium" kicks in.
The 2025 season provided plenty of highlights, but that 24-14 final score will serve as the primary motivation for every workout in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center this winter. The road back to the playoff starts now.