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CFP Quarterfinals Fans Respond to Miami Pulling Off Stunner Over Ohio State In Cotton Bowl Classic

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
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CFP Quarterfinals Fans Respond to Miami Pulling Off Stunner Over Ohio State In Cotton Bowl Classic

Twenty-three years ago, the Miami Hurricanes endured a stunning defeat to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2002 BCS final. 

Over the past two-plus decades, the Hurricanes’ program fell from legitimacy for much of that time. They returned to the limelight Wednesday night by upsetting the defending national champion Buckeyes, 24-14, in the 90th Cotton Bowl Classic.  

The Buckeyes became the fifth consecutive CFP team to lose coming off an opening-round bye. With former offensive coordinator Brian Hartline off to head the South Florida program, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day assumed the play-calling duties.

The Buckeyes failed to overcome their slow offensive start.

X (Twitter) Users Respond To CFP Quarterfinals Opener

Here’s a look at the 2025 Cotton Bowl’s tranquil pre-game, pre-New Year scene. It wouldn’t stay that way …

A personal pre-game moment for Miami’s Sisi Mauigoa …

Let the CFP quarterfinals begin …

The Hurricanes, highlighted by Rueben Bain Jr., emerged as an early force …

Carson Beck hit Mark Fletcher Jr. for the game-opening touchdown …

Hurricanes’ Keionte Scott read the play from the start and finished with a 72-yard interception return, giving the Hurricanes a 14-0 advantage …

Buckeyes kicker Jayden Fielding, who has endured recent struggles, missed an attempt just before halftime. Ohio State was shut out in an opening half for the first time since the 2016 Fiesta Bowl …

The Buckeyes were limited to minus three rushing yards in the first half. They opened the second with a series of multiple tight-end looks and established a running game. Bo Jackson capped the drive by muscling his way into the end zone at 8:05 of the third quarter …

Kicker Carter Davis connected on a 49-yard field goal, extending the Hurricanes’ lead to two scores (17-7) with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter …

On a fourth-and-two play, Sayin hit wide receiver Jeremiah Smith for a make-it-interesting score …

The Canes’ clincher …

Final score: Miami 24, Ohio State 14 …

The No. 10 Hurricanes, the first double-digit-seeded program to earn a CFP win during the opening round, advanced to the semifinals and will face the No. 3 Georgia-No. 6 Mississippi winner in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8 …

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  
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