"It's Miami and then a distant second...This team is elite" according to former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, the all-time leading passer for the Bulldogs. Miami outlasted Ohio State 24-14 on Wednesday night in the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
Miami advances to the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on January 8. Georgia and Mississippi play in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday night to determine who will advance. Miami took a 14-0 lead in the second quarter and held on.
Mark Fletcher Jr. had a nine-yard touchdown reception with 13:31 remaining in the second quarter to put Miami ahead 7-0. Keionte Scott returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown a 1:42 later and set the foundation for the Miami win.
Ohio State dominated the middle two quarters and cut the deficit to 20-14 on a 14-yard Jeremiah Smith TD reception early in the fourth quarter. Smith had seven receptions for 157 yards and one TD on Wednesday night.
It’s Miami and then a distant second
— Aaron Murray (@aaronmurray11) October 5, 2025
This team is elite
Hurricanes slam the door on Buckeyes repeat hopes
Miami and Ohio State exchanged punts after the touchdown from the Buckeyes before the Hurricanes had a 10-play, 70-yard drive that sealed the game. CharMar Brown scored on a five-yard TD run with 55 seconds left to put Miami ahead 24-14.
On the second play of the final drive for Ohio State, Jakobe Thomas had the second interception of the game for Miami to seal the outcome. Sayin completed 22 passes in 35 attempts for 287 yards, one TD and two interceptions. Miami held Ohio State to 45 rushing yards on 25 carries.
After the game, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal mentioned that the physicality that the Hurricanes played with was the difference. Miami finished with seven tackles and five sacks. The Hurricanes had 153 rushing yards on 37 carries and held Ohio State to four TFLs and two sacks.