At a Glance
- Rueben Bain Jr. delivers unexpected halftime speech
- Miami defeats Ohio State 24-14 in CFP quarterfinal
- Speech echoes 2001 Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed’s iconic words
- Why it matters: A quiet lineman’s words can energize a team and become part of a program’s legacy
During the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl, Rueben Bain Jr. surprised fans and teammates alike with a spontaneous halftime address that helped spark a 24-14 victory over Ohio State.
Halftime Rally
Bain’s brief words-“They don’t got the energy we got, bro. They don’t want it how we want it”-were followed by a shout of “Joaquin said dominate,” a reference that tied the team to a tradition of motivational speeches.
The speech came at a moment when Miami’s offense was already firing on all cylinders, and the team’s energy was palpable. The Hurricanes finished the game with four touchdowns in the third quarter, securing a spot in the Fiesta Bowl against Mississippi (13-1, CFP No. 6).
- 12-2 record, CFP No. 10 seed
- 24-14 win over Ohio State
- Advance to CFP semifinal vs Mississippi (13-1, CFP No. 6)
Legacy of Miami Speeches
Ed Reed‘s 2001 address in Tallahassee, where he quoted offensive lineman Joaquin Gonzalez, set a precedent.
Ed Reed said:
> “I’m hurt, dawg. Don’t ask me if I’m all right. Hell, no,”
> “Joaquin said dominate and we’re not doing it.”
The words spurred a 12-0 championship season.
Current players and alumni share that legacy. Coach Mario Cristobal welcomed former stars like Michael Irvin, Edgerrin James, and Ray Lewis to the sidelines, and players like Carson Beck felt the weight of past heroes.
| Year | Speaker | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Ed Reed | 12-0 national champions |
| 2024 | Rueben Bain Jr. | 24-14 CFP win vs Ohio State |
These moments illustrate how the Hurricanes use history to fuel present success.
Carson Beck said:
> “To come out and speak in front of the entire team, when that’s not necessarily something that he does all the time, you know he means it,”
Mario Cristobal said:
> “I think just the entirety of the Miami Hurricanes family from years past, showing up and supporting our team and getting back involved with the university, is absolutely awesome,”
Carson Beck said:
> “I literally just looked at him and just shook his hand and he introduced himself,”
Keionte Scott said:
> “It’s a different feeling,”
Key Takeaways
- Bain’s spontaneous speech energized the team and became a viral moment.
- Miami’s win set up a semifinal against Mississippi.
- The program’s tradition of motivational speeches continues to inspire players and alumni.
As Miami heads to the Fiesta Bowl, the echoes of past heroes remind the team that a single voice can ignite a championship run.
