The 2002 Fiesta Bowl ended with a flag and a moment that still echoes in the minds of Buckeyes and Hurricanes fans.
A Fiery Finale
Miami entered the 2002 Fiesta Bowl with a 24-17 lead in overtime. Ohio State’s quarterback Craig Krenzel threw toward the end zone on a fourth-down play, but the ball hit the ground. Line judge Derick Bowers signaled the pass was incomplete and the game seemed over.
The Hurricanes celebrated, even tossing helmets high in the air. Sean Taylor’s helmet shattered upon landing, a vivid image of the celebration’s intensity.
Terry Porter, the back judge, later called a pass interference that extended Ohio State’s drive. The Buckeyes scored to tie the game and then again in the second overtime, winning 31-24.
The Upcoming Clash
The two teams will meet again next week in the Cotton Bowl, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal on New Year’s Eve. Ohio State enters the game with a 12-1 record, while Miami is 11-2.
Ohio State is chasing back-to-back national titles, a goal that adds extra weight to the matchup. Miami’s coach, Mario Cristobal, emphasized that the focus is on the present.
Cristobal said, “We’re focused on the present.” He also noted that history will be part of the conversation, but the game will be decided by the 22 players on the field.
Officiating Drama
The 2002 Fiesta Bowl’s controversial call has become a talking point for years. ABC analyst Dan Fouts remarked “bad call” twice while reviewing the replay.
Porter has said that he simply took an extra moment to make sure he got the call right. He told the Stillwater News Press, “If you make a call and it’s right, the call goes away. If you make a call and the call is wrong, it never goes away. Ever.”
He added, “So just take your time and try to get it right. That’s what we all want to do. When you walk out at night, out of the place – football, basketball, I don’t care – you just want to have gotten it right.”
Coaching Perspectives
Miami quarterback Carson Beck said, “It’s going to be a challenge for us offensively, but it’s a challenge that we’re looking forward to.” He added, “But we do recognize how talented they are, and we’re going to have to come and execute.”
Beck was not even two months old when the January 3, 2003, game was played. The event’s outcome is unlikely to matter much to either side, according to Cristobal.
The teams have played twice since that Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State won in 2010, and Miami won in 2011.
These games have not drawn much attention recently, but the storied programs’ history will still be referenced.
Key Takeaways
- The 2002 Fiesta Bowl ended with a controversial pass-interference call that gave Ohio State a championship.
- Ohio State (12-1) and Miami (11-2) will face off in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
- Coaches emphasize the present game over past controversies.
The 2025 game will determine whether Ohio State can secure back-to-back national titles. The match will be decided by the players’ performance, not the memories of a flag-flagged finish.
The legacy of that 2002 Fiesta Bowl will linger, but the focus for both teams is the upcoming quarterfinal showdown.
The game promises high stakes, historic rivalry, and a chance for Ohio State to cement a second consecutive national championship. Miami will look to turn the tide and prove they can compete at the highest level.
Fans and analysts alike will watch to see if the 2002 controversy echoes or if the 2025 showdown writes a new chapter in the Buckeyes-Hurricanes rivalry.
