Miami took possession with 5:56 remaining in the game and holding a 17-14 lead. The Hurricanes had a10-play, 70-yard drive in 5:01 to put the game away. Miami had three first downs on the drive that culminated with a five-yard CharMar Brown touchdown run.
The 5:01 drive put Ohio State in a position that some analysts felt the Buckeyes let Brown score. Brown scored the touchdown with 55 seconds left. Ohio State would have needed a quick score, recover an onside kick and score again to send the game to overtime or win.
CharMar Brown is from Omaha Nebraska.
— Garrett Armbrust (@4thandsaturday) January 1, 2026
He had over 1,000 rushing yards at North Dakota St last season. Won the Jerry Rice Award (best FR in FCS).
Transferred to Miami. Had over 100 carries but played sparingly 6 weeks.
Ices the game for Miami.
pic.twitter.com/wsjipoblmG
Without the long drive, Ohio State would have had ample time to score the go-ahead TD or at least get a game-tying field goal attempt. The game-sealing drive for Miami is what championship teams do at the end of a game to secure victory.
Before the final Miami drive, Ohio State built momentum in the second half. Ohio State outscored Miami 14-3 and out-gained the Hurricanes 178-57 in the second half before the final drive. Miami outgained Ohio State 165-154 in the first half.
Teams at all levels should study that final drive by Miami. Everyone knew the Canes had to melt clock and run the ball, and they still blew Ohio State off the line, ending the game and removing any doubt of who was the better team. @CoachDanCasey @danorlovsky7
— Seth Wickersham (@SethWickersham) January 1, 2026
How the game-winning drive happened
Mark Fletcher Jr. set the tone for Miami on the final drive with a 19-yard run on the first play. Fletcher had a four-yard run, followed by a three-yard run by Carson Beck to set up a critical third down and three yards to go from the Ohio State 44 with 3:40 remaining.
Beck completed a pass to CharMar Brown for five yards to keep the drive alive. Brown added a 13-yard run for another first down and one and five-yard carries to set up third down and four at the Ohio State 20 yard line with 1:46 left in the game.
Beck threw a screen to C.J. Daniels, who caught the pass at the Ohio State 22-yard line and advanced to the seven to set up first and goal. Brown had a two-yard run, followed by the five-yard TD carry to extend the Miami lead to 24-14 and essentially ice the game.
Miami forced its will on Ohio State on the final drive. The physicality Miami played with for most of the game was the difference. That physicality showed on the final drive. Miami finished with seven tackles for loss and five sacks. Ohio State had four TFLs and two sacks.
Miami was the more physical team today. Executed far better on special teams. And it was Ohio state that made the critical, game changing mistake (pick 6). There’s the game when it comes to the CFP.
— Jake Butt (@Jbooty88) January 1, 2026
I have to highlight the WR blocking from Miami once again. That’s the…
Miami averaged 4.1 yards per carry to 1.9 for Ohio State. The Hurricanes have 16 TFLs and 12 sacks through two CFP games against Texas A&M and Ohio State. Miami has played aggressive and physical to earn a berth in the CFP Semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on January 8.