Miami, Florida – The Miami Hurricanes went from 9.5-point underdogs to rocking defending champion Ohio State 24-14 in a Texas showdown on New Year’s Eve. UM’s defense flexed its physicality, relentlessly hounding Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin, greatly helping the team lead wire-to-wire to claim the 90th edition of the Cotton Bowl. Carson Beck showed poise, completing 19 of 26 passes, including 13 consecutive completions, for 138 yards and a touchdown. The completions streak set a new Cotton Bowl record. Beck avoided risky throws, moving the chains with his legs and even lowering his shoulder to fight for extra gains, recording 23 rushing yards.
STILL THINKING ABOUT CARSON BECK LOWERING THE SHOULDER 😤💥 @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/gjLBQ70Cqo
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) January 1, 2026
The Cardiac Canes drew first blood via a nine-yard touchdown pass to Mark Fletcher Jr. Sayin immediately responded with a deep strike to Jeremiah Smith for a gain of 59 yards, advancing to Miami’s 16-yard line. After Rueben Bain Jr’s six-yard sack, Keionte Scott swooped in with a momentum-shifting pick-six, making it 14-0 Hurricanes. Ohio State adjusted and responded as reigning champs do, scoring on the opening series of the second half. The combined efforts of Sayin, Smith, Carnell Tate, and Bo Jackson led to the latter pushing up the middle for the one-yard rushing TD.
KEIONTE SCOTT PICK SIX🙌pic.twitter.com/xBbv52MNfl
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 1, 2026
Carter Davis, meanwhile, gave the Canes breathing room, nailing a 49-yard field goal. The Buckeyes scored again early in the fourth quarter, courtesy of Smith’s 14-yard reception. Miami converted seven of 14 third downs, including key conversions that extended possessions and ate up the clock. Beck connected with CJ Daniels on third and four inside Ohio State’s red zone for a 13-yard gain, paving the way for CharMar Brown’s five-yard rushing touchdown with under two minutes to go. Down 10, the Buckeyes tried to make something happen, but Jakobe Thomas ended it with an interception. UM is the first double-digit seed to enter the CFP semifinals. The Hurricanes are now 6-0 versus ranked opponents this season, as well as 3-0 against AP Top 10 teams. They now go to the Fiesta Bowl to play the winner of Georgia and Ole Miss.
A true legend of the game @JimmyJohnson #GoCanes pic.twitter.com/xGlNYjeACx
— Sara Cardona (@Sara_Cardonaa) January 1, 2026
Impressions
Marty Brown = tough as nails 😤#GoCanes | @CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/tnwqqsVS1D
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) January 1, 2026
Wow. Just wow. I am so proud of this team and what they’ve accomplished thus far. When Scott came up with the INT and took it to the house, I dared to think the Hurricanes were going to win. Being the underdogs suited them just fine. It’s what Miami has done all year: proving their doubters wrong. The U has achieved consecutive bowl wins for the first time since the 2003-2004 seasons. For icing on the cake, it’s also the first win against a defending champ since 2000 versus FSU. My number one takeaway was the physicality of the defense. Bain, Thomas, and Akheem Mesidor were beasts on the field. OSU was three of 10 on third down, and Sayin was sacked five times. Like I said in the preview, the Hurricanes needed to replicate Indiana’s performance, and they did. UM has 12 sacks in two CFP games. In fact, the defense has 4+ sacks in 4 straight games, the longest streak within a season in the last 25 years. Despite Jackson’s best efforts, Ohio State was held to 45 yards on the ground.
Akheem Mesidor with the sack at the 2025 @CFBPlayoff Quarterfinal at the 90th #GoodyearCottonBowl Classic! #LikeNoOther | #GoCanes pic.twitter.com/WSQ8TADaSy
— Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) January 1, 2026
The offense was largely efficient. Miami fumbled thrice, including one turnover by Mark Fletcher, but the damage was thankfully nonexistent. Beck was pretty spot on, while Fletcher produced 90 yards on 19 carries in addition to his passing TD. Brown was a change-of-pace running back, getting 26 yards and scoring. For the wide receivers, Daniels caught five of six passes for 49 yards, and Keelan Marion also caught five for 36. Before the game, I told a coworker that if the Hurricanes beat Ohio State, they can beat anybody. Boy, do I believe it now. Onwards to the Fiesta Bowl!
Bringing home some hardware 🏆🎉#GoCanes | @CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/nlHbnPDF6h
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) January 1, 2026
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