At a Glance
- Keionte Scott’s 72-yard interception return for a touchdown.
- Miami defeats Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal.
- Hurricanes (12-2, CFP No.10) advance to the Fiesta Bowl semifinal.
- Why it matters: The win keeps Miami’s national-title hopes alive at home.
Miami’s 12-2 record and CFP No.10 seed earned a spot in the College Football Playoff. In a first-round match at the Cotton Bowl, Keionte Scott’s 72-yard interception return sealed a 24-14 victory over Ohio State, the defending national champions.
Key Moment
Scott’s interception came from a screen pass by Heisman finalist Julian Sayin. The play ended with Scott sprinting untouched for a touchdown, prompting cheers from teammates, Hall-of-Fame receiver Michael Irvin, and former coach Mario Cristobal.
Keionte Scott stated:
> “I was full of emotions… That was a pretty cool moment. Just having fun. That’s what this team relies on.”
Miami’s Road to the Semifinal
- Miami has won six straight games since a Nov. 1 overtime loss at SMU.
- They defeated No. 7 Texas A&M 10-3 in the CFP first round.
- The next game is the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8 against No. 3 seed Georgia or No. 6 seed Ole Miss.
| Team | Record | CFP Seed |
|---|---|---|
| Miami | 12-2 | 10 |
| Ohio State | 12-2 | 2 |
Game Highlights
- Carson Beck finished 19-of-26 for 138 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.
- Mark Fletcher Jr. had a 9-yard touchdown pass and 19 carries for 90 yards, earning offensive MVP.
- Ohio State’s Julian Sayin was 22-of-35 for 287 yards, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown.
- Caleb Downs forced two fumbles in the game, the first such feat in a CFP match.
Key Takeaways
- Miami’s 72-yard interception return gives the Hurricanes a 24-14 win over Ohio State.
- The victory keeps Miami in the national-title conversation and sets up a Fiesta Bowl semifinal.
- Ohio State remains 12-2 but lost to a team that has not given them points since 2002.
The Hurricanes’ triumph at the Cotton Bowl keeps their quest for a 2026 title alive, with the Fiesta Bowl semifinal the next step toward the championship.
