Miami struggles inside the Texas A&M 30 yardline and on special teams, were concerning during their 10-3 first-round College Football Playoff win on Saturday. In five trips inside the Texas A&M 30-yard line on Saturday, Miami missed three field goals, made one and scored a touchdown.
A windy day in College Station on Saturday affected the kicking games and passing. After punts on their first four drives, Miami had a chance to take the lead with a Carter Davis field goal. Miami began that drive at the Texas A&M 25 following a 55-yard punt return by Malach Toney.
Miami had two one-yard gains before Carson Beck was sacked at the Texas A&M 29. Davis missed a 47-yard field goal. Three plays for a loss of four yards beginning the drive in ultra prime scoring position.
Miami began its final drive of the first half at its own 46. A pair of Beck completions got Miami to the Texas A&M 22-yard line. Consecutive Beck incompletions from the 22 brought up fourth down. With three seconds left in the first half, Davis missed a 40-yard field goal and the game went to halftime tied.
“It shows everybody what the ACC is all about.”@rhettlashlee and @EricMacLain explain how Miami's physicality was too much for Texas A&M 😤 pic.twitter.com/tahIoof4OL
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) December 20, 2025
Second half
On the first drive of the second half, Miami had a nine-play, 72-yard drive to the Texas A&M three-yard line in 4:26. Beck had three completions for 45 yards on the drive to put Miami into the red zone. Miami stalled on third and goal from the seven and Davis made a 21-yard field goal to give the Hurricanes a 3-0 lead.
Miami freshman defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald set the Hurricanes up at the Texas A&M 29-yard line after a 36 interception return. The Hurricanes went three and out. Davis missed a 35-yard field goal that could have extended the Miami lead to 6-0.
Following a Texas A&M punt, Miami got into Aggies' territory with a Toney 12-yard reception, but he fumbled on the 47-yard line and they recovered. Miami forced Texas A&M to punt after one first down and Miami took over at its own 14-yard line.
Fletcher carried Miami on its final drive. A 56-yard burst by Fletcher with him carrying tacklers, went to the Texas A&M 30. Fletcher had four more carries for 19 yards to set Miami up inside the red zone. Toney scored on a jet sweep to put Miami ahead 10-3.
Miami has to be better in Ohio State territory in the Cotton Bowl. The conditions will be ideal with the Cotton Bowl being played indoors at AT&T Stadium. Beck needs to be able to make throws to prevent Ohio State from stacking the box.