BREAKING: The Miami Hurricanes stunned the college football landscape on New Year’s Eve, defeating the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals held in Arlington, Texas. This shocking victory propels Miami into the College Football Playoff semifinals, marking one of the biggest upsets in playoff history.
Entering the game as 9.5-point underdogs, the 10th-ranked Hurricanes exceeded expectations and set a new record for the largest upset in the playoff era. The previous record was held by Ohio State, who defeated Alabama as a 7.5-point underdog on January 1, 2015.
From the opening kickoff, Miami asserted its dominance, racing to a commanding 14-0 halftime lead. Despite a second-half surge from Ohio State, the Hurricanes maintained their grip on the game. The Buckeyes finally found life midway through the third quarter when Bo Jackson scored on a touchdown run, narrowing Miami’s lead to 14-7.
Miami quickly responded with a crucial 49-yard field goal by Carter Davis, extending their lead to 17-7. Ohio State’s quarterback Julian Sayin connected with Jeremiah Smith for a 14-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, pulling the Buckeyes within three points at 17-14.
With the game on the line, Miami orchestrated a methodical drive featuring running backs Mark Fletcher and CharMar Brown. Just 55 seconds before the final whistle, Brown scored an uncontested touchdown, pushing the score to 24-14 and sealing the historic victory for the Hurricanes.
Ohio State’s final opportunity ended abruptly when Sayin was hit while attempting a throw, resulting in an interception that confirmed Miami’s triumph. This game not only signifies a major moment for Miami but also raises questions about Ohio State’s playoff aspirations.
As the Hurricanes celebrate this monumental victory, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how they perform in the upcoming semifinals. This is a developing story, and further updates will be released as they become available.
