After Miami star defensive lineman Rueben Bain had five tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in the Hurricanes' 24-14 win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal, he was named the Pro Football Focus Pass Rusher of the Week.
In Miami's wins over Texas A&M and Ohio State during the College Football Playoff, Bain had 8.0 tackles, 15 pressures, 5.5 TFLs and 5.0 sacks. Bain and Miami DL Ahkeem Mesidor were dominant for Miami against Texas A&M and Ohio State.
Mesidor combined for 10.0 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 16 pressures and 3.5 sacks against Texas A&M and Ohio State. Bain and Mesidor complement each other and make it difficult for the opposition to double-team them.
Bain and Mesidor dominated an Ohio State offensive line that finished their season 26th nationally, allowing 4.0 TFLs and 14th permitting 1.14 sacks per game. The five sacks Miami had against Ohio State were the most allowed by the Buckeyes in 2025.
Leader in Quarterback Pressures | CFP Quarterfinals:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 2, 2026
🙌 Rueben Bain Jr, Miami: 6@CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/5FdbFqtXfd
"Pass Rusher of the Week: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)Bradley Locker, Pro Football Focus
Bain continued his season-long tear by wreaking havoc against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. The projected first-round pick led all players in the quarterfinals with an 86.7 PFF pass-rushing grade and an unreal 32.4% pass-rush win rate. Altogether, Bain accumulated eight pressures against the Buckeyes."
Bain tied Texas Tech star David Bailey with a 93.0 PFF grade, which is the highest among edge rushers nationally. Bain was also the only Power Four edge rusher to have top 10 PFF grades as a run defender and pass rusher.
Bain had three consecutive games with a TFL and a sack. Bain's streak began with 5,0 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks in a 38-7 win at Pittsburgh in the final game of the regular season. Bain had 13 tackles, 7.0 TFLs and 5.5 sacks in his last three games.
On the season, Bain now had 45.0 tackles, 13.0 TFLs, 72 pressures and 8.5 sacks in 2025. Bain, Mesidor and the Miami defense dominated an Ohio State offensive line that featured second-team All-Big 10 guard Luke Montgomery and offensive tackle Austin Siereveld.