Miami Hurricanes Upset Ohio State 24-14 in Cotton Bowl: Defending Champions Fall in Stunning Loss
ARLINGTON, Texas — The University of Miami Hurricanes delivered a seismic upset on New Year's Eve, dismantling the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. The victory propels Miami into the College Football Playoff semifinals, while Ohio State's season ends in stunning fashion.
Electric Atmosphere Sets the Stage
The 80,000 fans packed into AT&T Stadium created a cauldron of noise from the moment the gates opened. A sea of scarlet engulfed the Ohio State sections, with pockets of red scattered throughout the Miami side. From player entrances to kickoff, the roars reverberated through the massive venue, signaling that this would be a dogfight from start to finish.
Ohio State won the coin toss at 6:41 p.m. CT and deferred to the second half. Miami took possession at the 25-yard line following a touchback, and the battle began.
The Buckeyes entered as 9.5-point favorites, but statistics suggested a tighter contest. Miami boasted superior numbers on both sides of the ball, raising questions about whether the spread merely reflected Ohio State's championship pedigree rather than actual on-field superiority. The answer would come swiftly and decisively.
Defensive Chess Match Gives Way to Miami Dominance
Both teams traded punts on their opening possessions as defenses asserted themselves early. Miami's second drive showed promise as running back Mark Fletcher began carving through Ohio State's front seven, a preview of what would become the game's defining storyline.
Then came the first turning point. Fletcher fumbled, and Ohio State recovered. But the Buckeyes squandered the opportunity, punting the ball back to Miami with 6:35 remaining in the first quarter.
Miami capitalized on the reprieve. The Hurricanes methodically marched downfield, with Fletcher churning out yards on seemingly every carry. Ohio State's defense appeared more prepared for Damien Martinez, allowing Fletcher to exploit the gaps. After consuming eight minutes of clock time across 13 plays, Fletcher punctuated the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run, giving Miami a 7-0 lead over the No. 2 team in the nation.
The celebration was just beginning.
The Pick-Six That Changed Everything
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin connected with star receiver Jeremiah Smith on a spectacular 59-yard completion, suddenly putting the Buckeyes in striking distance. But inexperience betrayed the young signal-caller on the very next play. Sayin's pass sailed into the waiting arms of a Miami defender, who raced 73 yards untouched to the end zone.
The stadium erupted. Miami's sideline exploded in jubilation, players sprinting down the field in celebration. The orange and green faithful lost their minds while Ohio State's scarlet-clad supporters sat in stunned silence. With under seven minutes remaining in the half, Miami led 14-0.
The pick-six exposed the chasm in experience between the two quarterbacks. While Sayin struggled with accuracy, pressure and decision-making, Miami's Carson Beck displayed the poise of a player who had navigated championship moments at Georgia. In playoff football, that veteran presence proved invaluable.
Ohio State's misery compounded when they missed a field goal before halftime, leaving critical points on the board. The Buckeyes limped to the locker room trailing 14-0, searching for answers and momentum.
Second-Half Adjustments Fall Short
Ohio State received the second-half kickoff, and adjustments were immediately evident in their tempo and play-calling. The Buckeyes needed to manufacture better situations for Sayin while cleaning up the costly mistakes that had defined their first-half performance.
The defending champions finally broke through with a touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 14-6. Miami responded with a field goal, extending the lead to 17-6 and maintaining their cushion entering the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Too Little, Too Late
With 13:28 remaining, Ohio State converted a gutsy fourth-down attempt for a touchdown, suddenly making it a 17-13 game. The Buckeyes' defense forced a Miami punt, giving the offense possession with under 11 minutes to play and the game hanging in the balance.
The ideal scenario for Ohio State involved a methodical, clock-eating drive culminating in a go-ahead score that left Miami with minimal time. But Miami's defense continued flying off blocks and disrupting rhythm, making sustained drives a monumental challenge.
As the clock ticked down, Ohio State's defense visibly wilted. The unit had spent too much time on the field, a consequence of the offense's inability to sustain possession. The rally proved too little, too late. Fans began filing toward the exits, their championship dreams evaporating in the Texas night.
Game-Sealing Touchdown Sparks Celebration
With under a minute remaining, Miami delivered the knockout blow. The Hurricanes punched in a touchdown, pushing the score to 24-14 and eliminating any possibility of an Ohio State comeback.
The stadium transformed into a celebration of orange and green. Miami players mobbed each other on the sideline while their fans roared in triumphant disbelief. The Hurricanes had toppled the defending national champions, the No. 2-ranked team in the nation, and punched their ticket to the semifinals.
Looking Ahead
Miami advances to face either Ole Miss or Georgia in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona. The Hurricanes' defense, which held Texas A&M to three points earlier in the postseason, proved it could perform on the sport's biggest stage. Fletcher's ground attack and Beck's veteran savvy provide Miami with the formula to continue their improbable championship pursuit.
For Ohio State, questions loom about the future. Sayin showed flashes of brilliance but also the inconsistency expected from a young quarterback thrust into the playoff spotlight. The Buckeyes' inability to stop the run and capitalize on opportunities cost them dearly against a hungry Miami team that refused to be intimidated by championship pedigree.
The 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl will be remembered as the night the Hurricanes announced their arrival as legitimate national title contenders—and the night the defending champions' reign came crashing down in stunning fashion.
