The air in Arlington felt different on New Year’s Eve. If you were watching the osu buckeyes football score tick upward in the third quarter, you probably thought Ryan Day was about to pull off another classic escape act. But the 24-14 final in favor of Miami didn't just end a season; it felt like a glitch in the Matrix for a program that had grown accustomed to the playoff penthouse.
Honestly, the scoreboard doesn’t tell half the story.
The Quarterfinal Heartbreak in Arlington
When the Buckeyes walked into AT&T Stadium for the Cotton Bowl, they weren't just the No. 2 team in the country—they were the defending national champions. People forget that. They were 12-1, coming off a gritty win over Indiana in the Big Ten Championship, and looking like a freight train. Then they hit the Miami Hurricanes.
The first half was a total blackout. Zero points.
It’s rare to see an Ohio State offense look that stagnant. Julian Sayin was under fire from the jump, and the Hurricanes' secondary played like they had thirteen guys on the field. By the time the third quarter rolled around, the Buckeyes were staring at a 14-0 hole.
A Comeback That Fell Short
Then, things got interesting.
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Bo Jackson—the freshman sensation who has basically become the heartbeat of the backfield—punched in a one-yard touchdown with 8:05 left in the third. You could feel the momentum shift. The stadium got loud. Suddenly, it was a one-score game.
Early in the fourth, Ryan Day went for the throat. On a fourth-and-2 inside the red zone, he didn't kick the field goal. He let Sayin toss a 14-yard dime to Jeremiah Smith. Smith, who is arguably the best receiver to ever wear the scarlet and gray (and yeah, I'm counting Marvin Harrison Jr. in that conversation), hauled it in through a sea of defenders. 17-14.
The comeback was on. Until it wasn't.
Miami's defense clamped down, a late touchdown sealed the deal, and just like that, the osu buckeyes football score was frozen at 14 while the Hurricanes celebrated a 24-14 upset. It was the first time Miami had beaten Ohio State in the postseason since... well, since before most of these players were born.
Breaking Down the 2025-2026 Season Results
To understand how we got to that 14-24 loss, you have to look at the gauntlet this team ran. This wasn't a "down" year by any stretch. They finished 12-2.
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- The Big Wins: They absolutely demolished Purdue (34-10) and UCLA (48-10).
- The Rivalry: They went into Ann Arbor and handled Michigan 27-9. That game alone usually saves a coach's job, even if the rest of the season goes sideways.
- The Title: They avenged a regular-season loss by beating Indiana 13-10 in Indianapolis to claim the Big Ten trophy.
But the offense had a weird habit of disappearing at the worst times. They lost to Texas 14-7 in the opener—a defensive slugfest—and then that final loss to Miami. It's frustrating for fans because the talent is clearly there.
The Jeremiah Smith Factor
We have to talk about Jeremiah Smith. He’s a cheat code. In that Cotton Bowl game, he had 157 receiving yards. He was the only reason the osu buckeyes football score even got to double digits. When the pocket collapsed, Sayin just threw it "up there" and Smith made the impossible look routine.
Who is Staying and Who is Going?
Since that loss on December 31, the transfer portal has been a revolving door. This is where the "human" element of the sport gets messy.
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. just announced he’s coming back for a fifth season. That is huge. He had 6.5 sacks this year and could have easily been a Day 2 NFL draft pick. Instead, he’s staying in Columbus to hunt for another ring. On the flip side, we’re losing stars like Caleb Downs and Carnell Tate to the NFL.
Even more shocking? The portal moves. Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham—two guys we expected to be the "next up" in the receiver room—bolted for Notre Dame. James Peoples is heading to Penn State. It’s a lot to process for a fan base that expects loyalty.
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Ryan Day’s Long-Term Security
Despite the early exit from the 12-team playoff, Ryan Day isn't going anywhere. He recently signed an extension that keeps him through 2031. He’s 70-10 over six seasons. That’s a winning percentage of $0.875$. People complain about the "big game" losses, but find me another coach who wins at that clip. You can’t.
Moving Forward: What to Watch Next
The 2026 season schedule is already looking spicy.
- September 5: Season opener against Ball State at the Shoe.
- September 12: A massive revenge game at Texas. If you want to see if this team has moved past the Miami loss, that’s the game to circle.
- The New O-Line: Luke Montgomery and Tegra Tshabola are returning. They struggled against the speed of Miami’s edge rushers, so their development this spring is the biggest storyline in Columbus.
The reality of the osu buckeyes football score isn't just about the numbers on the screen; it's about the fact that in the new 12-team playoff era, one bad night can erase four months of perfection. The Buckeyes didn't play "bad" football in 2025. They played one bad half at the worst possible moment.
To keep up with the roster changes before spring practice, keep an eye on the defensive tackle spot. With the addition of Jarquez Carter from Miami (ironic, right?) and Eric Mensah, the interior line is going to look completely different when they take the field in September. The sting of the Cotton Bowl will fade, but the pressure to return to the National Championship is only getting heavier.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve, start by tracking the spring enrollment of the incoming freshmen like Zion Grady and Khary Wilder. These are the guys who will be tasked with replacing the production of the NFL-bound starters. Also, keep a close watch on the quarterback competition; while Sayin is the incumbent, the transfer portal is never truly closed until spring ball ends. Verify the final spring game date, usually set for mid-April, to get your first look at the 2026 squad in action.