Miami Upsets Defending Champion Ohio State 24-14 in Cotton Bowl CFP Quarterfinal

In a significant College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl, the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes defeated the defending national champion No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 on Wednesday night.

Miami's defense was pivotal, with defensive back Keionte Scott intercepting a pass from Ohio State's Julian Sayin and returning it 72 yards for a touchdown, giving the Hurricanes a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.

Offensively, quarterback Carson Beck completed 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown pass to Mark Fletcher Jr. in the first quarter. Fletcher also contributed 90 rushing yards on 19 carries.

Ohio State's offense struggled in the first half, failing to score until the third quarter when running back Bo Jackson capped an 11-play, 82-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith added a 14-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, finishing with seven catches for 157 yards.

With this victory, Miami advances to the College Football Playoff semifinals, where they will face the winner of the Sugar Bowl matchup between No. 3 Georgia and No. 6 Ole Miss on January 8 at the Fiesta Bowl.