If you turned off the TV thinking the defending champs would cruise, you missed one of the biggest shockers in recent college football history. Honestly, it was a bloodbath in the trenches. The Miami Hurricanes won the Cotton Bowl with a 24-14 upset over the No. 2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes, effectively ending the Buckeyes’ quest for back-to-back national titles.
It was a New Year's Eve thriller at AT&T Stadium that felt more like a street fight than a football game.
Most people expected Ohio State to exert their will, especially after a first-round bye. Instead, the Hurricanes—who barely squeaked into the 12-team playoff as the 10th seed—played with a chip on their shoulder the size of Florida. They didn't just win; they bullied the best team in the Big Ten for four straight quarters.
How Miami Won the Cotton Bowl Last Night: Defense, Defense, Defense
The final score of 24-14 doesn't quite capture how much the Hurricanes' defensive line lived in the Ohio State backfield. If you're wondering who won the Cotton Bowl last night and why, the answer starts with Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor.
They weren't just "pressuring" Julian Sayin; they were essentially his shadow.
👉 See also: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
The Hurricanes sacked Sayin five times. Five! For a Heisman finalist who had only been sacked 11 times the entire season leading up to this, it was a jarring collapse of the Buckeye offensive line. Ohio State, a team that usually averages well over 400 yards of offense, was held to a measly 45 rushing yards.
The Play That Changed Everything
You can point to a lot of moments, but Keionte Scott’s 72-yard pick-six in the second quarter was the literal "oh no" moment for Ohio State fans. Sayin tried to force a screen pass that Scott read like a children's book.
He jumped the route.
He caught it in stride.
He didn't stop until he hit the end zone.
That play made it 14-0, and the air just seemed to leave the Buckeyes' sideline. It was the first time Ohio State had been held scoreless in a first half since that 2016 disaster against Clemson. History repeats itself in the weirdest ways, doesn't it?
✨ Don't miss: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
Key Stats and Players You Should Know
While the defense was the story, Carson Beck played the role of the ultimate "game manager" in the best sense of the word. He wasn't flashy. He didn't throw for 400 yards. But he was 19-of-26 for 138 yards and, most importantly, zero turnovers.
Basically, he did exactly what he needed to do to keep the chains moving and the clock bleeding.
On the other side, Jeremiah Smith was a man possessed. Even in a losing effort, the sophomore wide receiver proved why he’s likely the first pick in a future NFL draft. He caught seven passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. He was practically the only thing working for the Buckeyes’ offense, but one superstar can't beat a team that’s clicking in every phase.
Top Performers from the Cotton Bowl
- Mark Fletcher Jr. (Miami): 19 carries, 90 yards, and a receiving touchdown. He was the engine that kept the Miami offense on schedule.
- Keionte Scott (Miami): The 72-yard interception return for a touchdown was the play of the game.
- Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State): 157 receiving yards. He beat three defenders for a 14-yard TD on 4th-and-2 to make it interesting late.
- Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami): Led a defensive front that recorded 7 tackles for loss and lived in the backfield.
Why This Upset Matters So Much
The College Football Playoff is supposed to be where the "big boys" separate themselves from the "at-large" lucky invites. Miami proved that the 12-team format is going to be chaotic for years to come.
🔗 Read more: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
By knocking off No. 2 Ohio State, Miami didn't just advance; they became the first No. 10 seed to make it to the semifinals. They’re now heading to the Fiesta Bowl to take on the winner of the Georgia-Ole Miss matchup.
It's also a massive validation for Mario Cristobal. People have been "Canes are back"-ing for two decades, usually with a lot of eye-rolling from the rest of the country. But beating the reigning national champions in a New Year's Six bowl? That’s not a fluke. That’s a program shift.
What’s Next for the Hurricanes and Buckeyes?
Ohio State heads back to Columbus with a lot of questions about their offensive line and how they let a double-digit lead in momentum slip away so fast. Ryan Day is going to hear it from the boosters this week, despite having a championship ring on his finger from last year.
For Miami, the celebration is short. They have to travel to Glendale for the Fiesta Bowl. If they can replicate this defensive performance against a team like Georgia, we might be looking at one of the most improbable national championship runs in the history of the sport.
If you're looking to follow the rest of the bracket, keep an eye on the injury reports for the Hurricanes' secondary, as they took a few hard hits in the fourth quarter while trying to stop Jeremiah Smith.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the updated College Football Playoff bracket to see the official kickoff times for the Fiesta Bowl.
- Watch the condensed game highlights if you missed the first half—the Keionte Scott interception is a "must-see" for any defensive purist.
- Monitor the status of Julian Sayin; while he finished the game, the five sacks he took clearly had him shaken up in the post-game presser.