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Miami Shocks Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl as the Cardiac Canes March On

by | Jan 1, 2026 | Lifestyle, Sports

Miami Topples Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, Turning Early Control into a Signature Victory – Luxembourg

Wednesday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Miami Hurricanes delivered the first true jolt of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. No. 10 Miami upset No. 2 seed (and defending national champion) Ohio State 24–14, built on a punishing first half and a closing sequence that denied a late Buckeye push.

Final score and quick snapshot

Miami 24, Ohio State 14. The Hurricanes led 14–0 at halftime, then answered every Ohio State surge with a drive, a stop, or a takeaway. A pick-six and a late interception were the bookends on a statement win.

How Miami built control early

The game’s shape was defined before halftime. Miami’s defense created the defining swing: defensive back Keionte Scott jumped a pass and returned the interception for a 72-yard touchdown, turning a tense quarterfinal into a scoreboard problem for Ohio State. Miami then stacked efficient offense on top of that momentum, reaching the break up 14–0.

The numbers that explain the upset

  • Score by quarter: Miami led 14–0 at halftime and finished 24–14.
  • Signature defensive points: Miami’s pick-six created immediate separation.
  • Late-game dagger: Miami’s final defensive takeaway shut the comeback door.

Carson Beck’s role: calm, efficient, situational

Quarterback Carson Beck didn’t need fireworks; he needed control. He operated the offense with tempo, avoided back-breaking mistakes, and delivered the touchdown throw Miami required to keep Ohio State chasing. In a quarterfinal, “no panic” is a weapon.

When Ohio State finally landed a punch

Ohio State made it a game after halftime, trimming the gap and forcing Miami into late-game execution. The Buckeyes threatened to turn the fourth quarter into a one-possession coin flip-exactly the scenario top seeds usually win. Miami’s response was simple: win the next two high-leverage moments.

The closing sequence that sealed it

  • Late Miami touchdown: Running back CharMar “Marty” Brown finished a pressure drive with a 5-yard rushing TD.
  • Game-ending takeaway: Defensive back Jakobe Thomas intercepted Ohio State late, ending the final rally attempt.
  • Defensive tone: Miami repeatedly forced Ohio State into higher-risk throws under stress.

What this means for the CFP bracket

Miami advances to the College Football Playoff semifinals and will face the winner of Georgia vs. Ole Miss.
The upset also continued the early storyline of the expanded playoff: teams coming off a bye have struggled to convert rest into wins.

FAQ: Miami vs. Ohio State (Cotton Bowl quarterfinal)

1) What was the final score?

Miami won 24–14 over Ohio State.

2) Where was the game played?

AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

3) What was the halftime score?

Miami led 14–0 at halftime.

4) Who had the pick-six for Miami?

Keionte Scott returned an interception for a touchdown.

5) How long was the pick-six?

A 72-yard interception return touchdown.

6) Who was Miami’s quarterback?

Carson Beck.

7) Did Beck throw a touchdown?

Yes, he threw a touchdown pass in the win.

8) Who scored Miami’s late rushing touchdown?

CharMar “Marty” Brown scored on a 5-yard run late.

9) What play sealed the win late?

A late interception by Jakobe Thomas ended Ohio State’s comeback attempt.

10) Was Ohio State the defending national champion?

Yes, Ohio State entered as the defending champion.

11) What seed was Ohio State?

Ohio State was the No. 2 seed.

12) What seed was Miami?

Miami was the No. 10 seed.

13) What round of the CFP was this?

This was a CFP quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl.

14) What was the key reason Miami won?

Explosive defensive scoring (pick-six) plus late-game execution and takeaways.

15) Did Ohio State rally in the second half?

Yes, they made the game competitive after halftime, but Miami answered late.

16) Who will Miami play next?

Miami will face the winner of Georgia vs. Ole Miss in the semifinals.

17) What was Miami’s biggest momentum play?

The Keionte Scott pick-six that created separation.

18) What was Miami’s late offensive dagger?

The CharMar Brown 5-yard rushing touchdown.

19) What was the simplest takeaway?

Miami built a cushion early and closed the game with a late TD and interception.

20) What’s the bigger playoff storyline?

The expanded-playoff quarterfinals have rewarded teams that stay sharp and aggressive—Miami did both.

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