Miami Stuns Defending Champion Ohio State to Reach CFP Semifinals

No. 10 Miami pulled off a stunning College Football Playoff upset Wednesday night, defeating defending national champion Ohio State 24–14 in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal.

Keionte Scott delivered the game’s turning point early, returning an interception 72 yards for a touchdown to give the Hurricanes a commanding first-half lead. Quarterback Carson Beck added a touchdown pass, and Miami’s defense held firm to seal the program’s biggest postseason win in decades.

Miami (12–2) entered the expanded 12-team playoff as an at-large selection and has now won two playoff games to reach the national semifinals. With one more victory, the Hurricanes could play for the national championship in their home stadium — something unimaginable just a few seasons ago.

Scott’s pick-six came after he jumped a quick screen pass thrown by Ohio State freshman Julian Sayin, extending Miami’s lead to 14–0 midway through the second quarter. That score followed Beck’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Mark Fletcher Jr., who finished with 90 rushing yards.

Ohio State (12–2), a 9.5-point favorite, was unable to recover. Sayin threw for 287 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted twice and sacked five times. All-America receiver Jeremiah Smith had a standout night with seven catches for 157 yards, including a fourth-quarter touchdown.

Miami added a 49-yard field goal from Carter Davis in the third quarter and a late 5-yard touchdown run by ChaMar Brown to put the game away. The 24 points were the most Ohio State allowed all season.

Miami has now won six straight games and will face either Georgia or Ole Miss in the CFP semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on January 8.