Miami and Ohio State met in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, a College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinal, with a semifinal spot on the line. The Miami Hurricanes delivered the upset, beating the Ohio State Buckeyes 24–14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in a game that swung on early momentum and costly mistakes. For Ohio State football fans, the loss meant an abrupt end to the CFP run—raising immediate questions like “Is Ohio State out of the playoffs?” For Miami football, it was a statement win for The U, proving the Canes can win on the biggest stage.
Miami vs Ohio State — Game Snapshot
At-a-glance
- Final score: Miami Hurricanes 24, Ohio State Buckeyes 14
- Bowl: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (College Football Playoff / CFP quarterfinal)
- Where is Ohio State playing / Where is the Cotton Bowl played? AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- What channel is the Ohio State game on? ESPN
- Kickoff time / Cotton Bowl kickoff time: 7:30 p.m. ET (Dec 31, 2025)
Final Score + Scoring Summary
Final: Miami 24, Ohio State 14
Scoring drives (key scoring moments)
- 2Q (13:31) — MIA TD: Carson Beck hit Mark Fletcher Jr. for a 9-yard TD (Carter Davis kick). Drive: 13 plays, 83 yards, 8:04.
- 2Q (11:49) — MIA TD (Pick-Six): Keionte Scott 72-yard interception return (Carter Davis kick). Drive: 3 plays, 53 yards, 1:42.
- 3Q (8:10) — OSU TD: Bo Jackson 1-yard run (Jayden Fielding kick). Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 6:44.
- 3Q (3:01) — MIA FG: Carter Davis 49-yard field goal. Drive: 9 plays, 43 yards, 5:04.
- 4Q (13:28) — OSU TD: Jeremiah Smith 14-yard TD catch from Julian Sayin (Fielding kick). Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:33.
- 4Q (0:55) — MIA TD (Sealer): CharMar Brown 5-yard TD run (Carter Davis kick). Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 5:01.
Quarter-by-quarter
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 0 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
| Ohio State | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
Highlights That Decided OSU vs Miami
Miami’s fast start (the 14–0 hole)
Ohio State never truly recovered from the early punch Miami landed in the Cotton Bowl Classic. The Canes built a 14–0 halftime lead thanks to two momentum-swinging scores in the second quarter: first, Carson Beck hit Mark Fletcher Jr. for a touchdown, and just minutes later Keionte Scott jumped a screen from Ohio State QB Julian Sayin and took it 72 yards for a pick-six.
That sequence flipped the game from a tight CFP quarterfinal into a “catch-up” script for the Buckeyes the rest of the night.
The moment Ohio State’s comeback stalled
To their credit, Ohio State football made it a game late. Jeremiah Smith hauled in a 14-yard TD on fourth down to cut the deficit to 17–14 with 13:28 left, and the Buckeyes even forced a punt to get the ball back with a chance to tie or take the lead.
But that’s where Miami’s defense delivered the decisive stand: Ohio State’s next possession sputtered, and Miami responded with a clock-killing 70-yard drive capped by CharMar Brown’s 5-yard TD run with 0:55 remaining. On the Buckeyes’ final desperation sequence, Miami’s pass rush helped force the finishing blow—another Sayin interception to close it out.
Miami Hurricanes Football vs Ohio State Buckeyes Football Match Player Stats
Miami football — top performers (Canes)
- Carson Beck (QB): 19/26, 138 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
- Mark Fletcher Jr. (RB): 19 carries, 90 yards + 2 catches, 25 yards, 1 receiving TD (Offensive MVP)
- Defensive pressure (Rueben Bain Jr + Akheem Mesidor): Akheem Mesidor had 2 sacks and Rueben Bain Jr. added 1 sack as Miami consistently hit the Ohio State QB and finished with 5 total sacks.
Ohio State football — top performers (Buckeyes)
- Julian Sayin (Ohio State QB / Ohio State quarterback): 22/35, 287 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
- Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State): 7 catches, 157 yards, 1 TD
Team stats (quick table)
| Stat | Miami | Ohio State |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 291 | 332 |
| Passing yards | 138 | 287 |
| Rushing yards | 153 | 45 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| 3rd down | 7–14 | 3–10 |
| Time of possession | 33:20 | 26:40 |
Miami Football Takeaways
- They fell behind early and spent the night chasing the game. Even though the scoreboard read 0–0 after the first quarter, Ohio State’s offense never found an early rhythm—and once Miami struck twice in the second quarter (including the pick-six), the Buckeyes were suddenly playing from a 14–0 hole in a CFP quarterfinal.
- Turnovers flipped the matchup. The biggest swing was Julian Sayin’s interception returned 72 yards for a TD by Keionte Scott, and Ohio State finished with 2 interceptions—too many giveaways to survive against a top-tier defense in the College Football Playoff.
- Sacks and pressure killed drives. Miami’s front consistently collapsed the pocket, piling up 5 total sacks and forcing Sayin into hurried throws and long-yardage situations. In a one-and-done postseason game, that pressure showed up at the worst possible times—especially on late possessions when Ohio State needed clean protection to complete the comeback.
- So…who did Ohio State lose to / who beat Ohio State this year? In this game, the answer is the Miami Hurricanes, who ended Ohio State’s season with a 24–14 win in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Miami Football Takeaways
- This win is a program statement for the Miami Hurricanes and the University of Miami. Miami didn’t just survive a “name brand” matchup—they knocked out the defending champ and proved it can win a CFP game with physicality, discipline, and timely explosive plays.
- The U vibes are back (without overdoing it). Games like this are why fans still bring up “Ray Lewis Miami”—that swagger + defense-first identity. Under Mario Cristobal, Miami looked like a team built for January football, not just highlight reels.
- Why “defense travels” in playoff games: Miami’s defense created the separation. The Canes sacked Julian Sayin five times and picked him off twice, including the 72-yard pick-six that flipped the game’s momentum and forced Ohio State to play catch-up. That’s the exact formula that holds up anywhere—neutral sites, loud crowds, and high stakes.
- Bigger picture: Miami’s CFP path just got real. By advancing, Miami moved one step closer to playing for the national championship—and the win instantly reframes the season from “nice comeback year” to “legit title threat.”
CFP Playoffs Impact
Is Ohio State out of the playoffs?
Yes. Ohio State’s 24–14 loss to Miami in the CFP quarterfinal ended the Buckeyes’ season and eliminated them from the College Football Playoff.
What’s next for Miami in the CFP?
Miami advances to the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl CFP semifinal on Jan. 8, 2026, in Glendale, Arizona (State Farm Stadium). Their opponent will be the winner of Georgia vs. Ole Miss.
National championship 2026 path (CFP championship)
Here’s the path: win the Fiesta Bowl semifinal (Jan. 8) → advance to the CFP championship / national championship game on Jan. 19, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Where to Watch Ohio State vs Miami
Here’s the simple answer to the “where is the Cotton Bowl?” confusion:
- The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (the CFP bowl game) is played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium).
- Cotton Bowl Stadium (the actual stadium named “Cotton Bowl”) is a separate venue located in Dallas, Texas at Fair Park.
- Why the confusion exists: the Cotton Bowl Classic used to be played at Cotton Bowl Stadium, but it moved to AT&T Stadium starting in 2010.
Where to Watch Ohio State vs Miami
- TV channel: ESPN
- Kickoff time: 7:30 p.m. ET (Dec 31, 2025)
- Streaming options: You can stream it through the ESPN app / ESPN.com with a participating TV provider login, or via live-TV streaming services that carry ESPN (availability varies by service and location).
Ohio State vs Miami Prediction (Pre-game) + What Changed
Pre-game prediction context: Ohio State entered the Cotton Bowl as the clear favorite — OSU was favored by 9.5 points in many major previews and betting lines.
What changed on the field (why Miami flipped it)
- Turnovers swung momentum early. The biggest play of the night was Keionte Scott’s 72-yard pick-six, which helped turn a tight game into a two-score gap and forced Ohio State into catch-up mode.
- Miami’s pressure kept stacking negative plays. The Canes repeatedly disrupted Ohio State’s timing, finishing with five sacks and two interceptions—exactly the kind of disruption that neutralizes a favorite in a CFP game.
- Explosive answers at the biggest moments. Even when OSU rallied (including the Jeremiah Smith TD to cut it close), Miami responded with a late CharMar Brown touchdown to seal the upset.
FAQs
What channel is the Ohio State game on today?
The Ohio State vs Miami game aired on ESPN (Cotton Bowl Classic / CFP quarterfinal).
What time does Ohio State play today / Ohio State kickoff time?
Kickoff was 7:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2025 (6:30 p.m. CT local time in Texas).
Where is the Cotton Bowl played 2025 / where is the Cotton Bowl being played?
The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic was played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Score of the Ohio State game / Ohio State football score / Cotton Bowl score?
Final score: Miami 24, Ohio State 14.
Did Ohio State win today / who won the Ohio State game?
Miami won, beating Ohio State 24–14 in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal.
Is Ohio State out of the playoffs / CFP playoffs?
Yes. The loss came in the CFP quarterfinal, so it eliminated Ohio State from the College Football Playoff.
Miami Hurricanes football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football match player stats?
Key lines: Carson Beck 19/26, 138 yds, 1 TD; Julian Sayin 22/35, 287 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT; Jeremiah Smith 7 rec, 157 yds, TD; Mark Fletcher Jr. 19 rush, 90 yds + receiving TD.
Where to watch the Cotton Bowl / where to watch OSU game / where can I watch Ohio State game today?
The official broadcast was ESPN, with streaming via ESPN platforms (TV-provider login). Some services also carried ESPN for live streaming (availability varies).