The Miami Hurricanes shocked the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl CFP quarterfinal on December 31, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, winning 24-14. Carson Beck’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Mark Fletcher Jr. and Keionte Scott’s 72-yard pick-six off Julian Sayin were two big plays that put Miami ahead 14-0 at halftime. ChaMar Brown scored the final touchdown on a 5-yard run, and Carter Davis kicked a 49-yard field goal.
Miami’s defense was in charge, sacking Sayin five times and keeping Ohio State from scoring as many points as they could in the playoffs. Beck completed 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown, while Fletcher ran for 90 yards. Sayin threw for 287 yards but had two interceptions. For the Buckeyes, Jeremiah Smith caught seven passes for 157 yards and a late touchdown.
After Miami’s upset, fans went crazy online, calling Scott’s pick-six and the Hurricanes’ opportunistic defense “game-sealing magic.” People were shocked by Ohio State’s collapse, made memes about the Buckeyes’ failed comeback, and praised Miami for making it to the CFP semifinals against Georgia or Ole Miss. Some people didn’t like ESPN’s score bug, but the focus stayed on Miami’s playoff run and the chance to play for a title at home.
