Arlington, TX — Keionte Scott never slowed down as he raced down the sideline, glancing briefly toward the Miami bench to soak in the moment. By the time he crossed the goal line, the Hurricanes had seized control — and college football’s postseason had a new shockwave.
Scott returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown, Carson Beck delivered a steady performance under center, and No. 10 Miami stunned defending national champion Ohio State 24–14 on Wednesday night in the Cotton Bowl, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal that sent the Hurricanes into the national semifinals.
The decisive moment came early in the second quarter when Scott jumped a screen pass from Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and sprinted untouched to the end zone. It was Scott’s second interception return for a touchdown this season and pushed Miami to a commanding 14–0 lead.
“I was full of emotions,” Scott said. “Just having fun out there. That’s what this team is about — playing free and enjoying the moment.”
Miami (12–2), the CFP’s No. 10 seed, continued its remarkable playoff run after entering the 12-team field as an at-large selection. The Hurricanes have now won two postseason games to reach the College Football Playoff semifinals, placing them one victory away from a chance to play for a national championship — potentially in their home stadium.
Beck, a former Georgia quarterback now guiding Miami, completed 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. His nine-yard scoring toss to Mark Fletcher Jr. opened the scoring and set the tone for the Hurricanes’ balanced attack. Fletcher, named the game’s offensive MVP, added 90 rushing yards on 19 carries.
Sayin finished 22 of 35 for 287 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, absorbing five sacks against a relentless Miami defense. Jeremiah Smith, an AP All-America receiver and Miami native, caught seven passes for 157 yards, including a fourth-down touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Still, the Hurricanes had answers every time Ohio State threatened. Carter Davis drilled a 49-yard field goal in the third quarter, and ChaMar Brown sealed the victory with a five-yard touchdown run in the final minute — capping Miami’s highest-scoring performance allowed by the Buckeyes all season.
The night carried extra meaning for Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, a former Hurricanes lineman during the program’s championship runs in 1989 and 1991. With Miami legends Michael Irvin and Jimmy Johnson watching from the sideline, Cristobal emphasized that the moment belonged to his players.
“It’s not about me,” Cristobal said. “It’s about giving these guys every opportunity to reach what they’re capable of.”
The victory also closed a chapter of history between the two programs. Miami’s last national title came in 2001, and its most painful postseason loss followed the next year — a double-overtime defeat to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. This time, the Hurricanes walked off the field celebrating.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day acknowledged the missed opportunity after weeks of preparation.
“We worked hard to be ready,” Day said. “But at the end of the day, we didn’t get it done.”
Miami has now won six straight games since an overtime loss at SMU on Nov. 1, including two playoff victories in Texas. The Hurricanes will advance to the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Jan. 8, where they will face either Georgia or Ole Miss.
Ohio State, meanwhile, turns its attention to the future, set to open the 2026 season at home against Ball State.
For Miami, the mission is clear — and suddenly within reach.
