College Search
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
College Search
On December 31, 2025, the University of Miami delivered a program-defining statement in Arlington, Texas, upsetting No. 2 seed and defending national champion Ohio State 24-14 in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at AT&T Stadium. Entering as the No. 10 seed in the new 12-team playoff and a substantial underdog, the Hurricanes turned a matchup many expected Ohio State to control into a showcase of defense, balance and poise on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
The win moved Miami to 12-2 in a season that marks the 100th year of Hurricanes football and secured a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, on January 8. For a program that had never previously reached the CFP and had spent much of the playoff era chasing its storied past, the Cotton Bowl was widely described as its biggest victory in more than two decades.
The path to this upset began long before kickoff in Arlington. Under head coach Mario Cristobal, now in his fourth season leading his alma mater, the University of Miami has methodically rebuilt toward national relevance. The 2025 campaign opened with five straight wins, including victories over ranked opponents Notre Dame, South Florida and rival Florida State, signaling that Miami was more than a fringe Top 25 team.
By the end of the regular season, the Hurricanes stood at 10-2 with a 6-2 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference. That résumé earned them the No. 10 seed in the expanded playoff format and a difficult first-round trip to College Station to face No. 7 Texas A&M. In that game, Miami leaned heavily on its defense in a 10-3 road win, proving it could win a high-pressure, low-scoring postseason battle away from home.
Ohio State, by contrast, entered the Cotton Bowl after a 12-1 season that included a long stay at No. 1 in the polls and only a narrow 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten championship game. That performance secured a top-four seed and a coveted first-round bye under the new 12-team system. Oddsmakers installed the Buckeyes as clear favorites, and many analysts framed the matchup as a test of whether Miami could simply keep it close.
Instead, the Hurricanes embraced their underdog role and authored a performance that revived memories of past Miami-Ohio State clashes, including the controversial 2003 Fiesta Bowl national title game. This time, it was the Hurricanes who left the field celebrating.
The first quarter at AT&T Stadium was a defensive stalemate that set the tone for the night. Both teams traded punts as each defense dictated terms at the line of scrimmage. For Miami, the early story was the front seven, which consistently limited Ohio State’s ground game and kept the Buckeyes behind the chains.
By closing interior rushing lanes and rallying to the football on perimeter runs, Miami forced Ohio State into predictable passing situations. That allowed the Hurricanes to mix coverages and bring calculated pressure, something that would pay off later with game-changing takeaways.
The game swung decisively early in the second quarter. The University of Miami put together a methodical 13-play, 83-yard drive that showcased offensive balance and composure. Senior transfer quarterback and team captain Carson Beck calmly navigated the Buckeyes’ defense, mixing short passes with inside runs to stay on schedule.
Facing a key red-zone opportunity, Beck found running back Mark Fletcher Jr. in the right flat for a nine-yard touchdown pass. Fletcher caught the ball near the numbers, turned upfield and powered into the end zone to give the Hurricanes a 7-0 lead. Kicker Carter Davis knocked through the extra point, and Miami had the first major breakthrough.
Moments later, the Hurricanes’ defense seized full control. Cornerback Keionte Scott anticipated a screen pass from Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, jumped the route cleanly and intercepted the ball in stride. With nothing but green turf ahead, Scott sprinted 72 yards down the sideline for a defensive touchdown that sent the Miami sideline into a frenzy and stunned the largely pro-Ohio State crowd.
In the span of a few minutes, Miami had turned a 0-0 chess match into a 14-0 lead, fueled by sharp play-calling and an opportunistic secondary. The sudden advantage reflected exactly what had defined this Hurricanes team all season: disruptive defense and the ability to turn stops into points.
Ohio State attempted to respond before halftime, driving into long field goal range, but a late kick sailed wide. Instead of gaining momentum heading into the locker room, the Buckeyes trailed 14-0 with an offense that had yet to find rhythm, while Miami headed into halftime firmly in control.
As expected from a defending national champion, Ohio State responded after the break. The Buckeyes opened the third quarter with an 82-yard drive that showcased why their offense had been so dangerous all season. Leaning on running back Bo Jackson and a quick passing game tailored to neutralize Miami’s pass rush, Ohio State finally strung together consistent gains.
Jackson capped the possession with a one-yard touchdown plunge, halving the deficit to 14-7 and breathing life into the Ohio State sideline. The drive tested Miami’s resolve, but the Hurricanes’ answer underscored how much the program has matured under Cristobal.
On the ensuing drive, Miami stayed calm. Beck managed the huddle and the clock, repeatedly getting the offense into favorable plays. Although the drive stalled just outside the red zone, Davis drilled a 49-yard field goal to stretch the lead back to two scores at 17-7.
The Buckeyes were not finished. Early in the fourth quarter, they mounted a 10-play, 75-yard drive that again leaned on Jackson and featured a series of precise throws from Sayin. Facing a critical fourth down in the red zone, Sayin hit star receiver Jeremiah Smith for a 14-yard touchdown, cutting Miami’s lead to 17-14 with 13:28 remaining. The crowd of 71,323 sensed a familiar script: an established power mounting a late comeback in a playoff game.
Instead of unraveling, the University of Miami faced its biggest pressure moment of the season and responded with what may be remembered as a season-defining drive.
With the outcome in doubt and momentum tilting toward Ohio State, Miami’s offense took the field knowing it needed both points and clock. The Hurricanes answered with a 70-yard march that checked every box: physical running, efficient short passing, situational awareness and clock management.
Miami’s defense had already done its part by forcing a key Ohio State punt, aided by a holding penalty that put the Buckeyes off schedule. That field position swing set the stage for Beck and the offense.
Throughout the drive, Beck consistently made the right decisions, taking what the defense gave him and avoiding risky throws. Wide receiver CJ Daniels became a go-to target, hauling in multiple critical receptions, including a screen on third down that moved the ball inside the Ohio State 10-yard line and forced the Buckeyes to start burning their remaining timeouts.
In the backfield, CharMar Brown complemented Fletcher with fresh legs and a physical running style that wore down Ohio State’s front. Brown’s key gain off left tackle helped Miami inch closer to the goal line and drain valuable seconds. With just 55 seconds left, Brown followed a pulling blocker, planted his foot and cut inside for a five-yard touchdown that pushed the lead to 24-14.
That score did more than just extend the margin. It forced Ohio State into desperation mode, knowing it needed a quick touchdown and an onside kick recovery just to have a chance. On the Buckeyes’ final possession, Miami’s defense slammed the door for good when defensive back Jakobe Thomas intercepted Sayin near midfield. Beck then took a victory formation knee as Hurricanes players and coaches celebrated around the Cotton Bowl trophy.
The final statistics from the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal underscored just how complete Miami’s performance was in all three phases.
Beck’s stat line reflected efficiency rather than explosiveness, which was exactly what Miami needed. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. Just as important, he added 23 rushing yards on scrambles that extended drives and helped neutralize a highly regarded Ohio State pass rush.
In a high-stakes playoff setting, avoiding negative plays can be as valuable as highlight-reel throws. Beck’s decision-making and ability to manage the tempo kept Miami’s offense on schedule and out of obvious passing downs.
Miami’s backfield duo of Mark Fletcher Jr. and CharMar Brown provided the balance that has become a staple of Cristobal’s teams. Fletcher carried 19 times for 90 rushing yards and added 25 receiving yards on his touchdown catch. His combination of power and patience helped Miami stay ahead of the chains and wear down Ohio State’s front seven.
Brown complemented him with 26 rushing yards and the clinching fourth-quarter touchdown. Together, they gave the Hurricanes a reliable running game that forced the Buckeyes to respect the ground attack, which in turn opened windows in the short passing game.
CJ Daniels led Miami’s receivers with five catches for 49 yards, several of which came in high-leverage situations. Those chain-moving receptions on third down were critical to sustaining drives, particularly on the final scoring march. While Miami did not generate many deep shots, its receivers consistently executed the details: crisp routes, secure hands and yards after the catch.
Perhaps the most telling numbers came in situational football. The Hurricanes converted seven of 14 third-down attempts, a 50 percent success rate that kept drives alive and protected their defense. Just as notably, Miami avoided any accepted penalties, a rare feat in a game of this magnitude and a testament to discipline and preparation.
Ohio State, meanwhile, managed only three conversions on 10 third-down opportunities. That disparity played a major role in field position and time of possession, tilting the game subtly but decisively in Miami’s favor.
Defensively, Miami’s front and linebackers were relentless. They held Ohio State to just 45 rushing yards on 24 attempts, effectively removing the balance that had made the Buckeyes so dangerous all season. That forced Sayin to shoulder more of the offensive burden against a defense that could sit on routes and disguise coverages.
Even as Jeremiah Smith had a standout individual performance with seven catches for 157 yards, Miami repeatedly tightened in key moments, particularly on third down and in the red zone. The Hurricanes intercepted two passes, including Scott’s pick-six and Thomas’s late dagger, and never allowed the explosive multi-score runs that had often blown games open for Ohio State.
Beyond the box score, the Cotton Bowl result carried deeper significance. The University of Miami is celebrating its 100th season of football, a history that includes five claimed national championships and dominant stretches in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. For a generation of alumni and fans who grew up hearing stories about the swagger and dominance of those eras, the modern playoff era had mostly been defined by near-misses and rebuilds.
This postseason run feels different. In its first appearance in the College Football Playoff, Miami has already knocked off a top-seven Texas A&M team on the road and the No. 2 seeded, defending champion Buckeyes within an 11-day span. The Hurricanes are no longer just a brand associated with past glory; they are a present-tense factor in the national championship race.
The upset also reinforces an emerging trend in the 12-team CFP format: lower-seeded teams that survive the first round are more battle-tested than higher seeds coming off byes. While it is too early to label that a pattern across seasons, Miami’s back-to-back wins in hostile and neutral environments show how momentum and rhythm can matter as much as seeding in the new structure.
With the Cotton Bowl trophy secured, attention for the Hurricanes quickly turns to the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl semifinal in Glendale on January 8. There, Miami will have another chance to prove it belongs among the nation’s elite and to move one step closer to its first national title since 2001.
For recruits, high school coaches and families watching from across the country, this run underscores the appeal of a program that combines tradition with a clear modern identity. The University of Miami offers a national platform, a location in a major recruiting hotbed and a staff that has now demonstrated it can develop a playoff-caliber roster capable of beating the sport’s biggest brands.
Prospects evaluating their options can look at this 2025 team as evidence that Miami is not just promising future success but actively competing for championships in the new playoff era.
From a broader college football perspective, Miami’s win over Ohio State highlights several key themes in the evolving landscape:
For athletes trying to understand how to navigate this changing environment, educational tools and smart search are becoming critical. Platforms like Pathley are emerging to help recruits keep up with which programs are ascending, how conference dynamics are shifting, and where their own profiles might fit best.
Prospective student-athletes and families who want to understand the broader context of the University of Miami’s football resurgence can dig into the program’s history, academic offerings and campus experience. To explore more about the Hurricanes and how they fit into the national landscape, you can visit the dedicated Pathley college page for the program at https://app.pathley.ai/college/university-of-miami.
That page provides a centralized view of the school, helping athletes connect standout performances like the Cotton Bowl win with practical questions about fit, academics and campus life.
For additional background on this season and the Cotton Bowl result, readers can reference national coverage and historical context from outlets such as Wikipedia’s 2025 Cotton Bowl Classic (December) entry and Reuters’ bowl roundup on Miami’s upset win, which further detail how significant this game is in the broader College Football Playoff picture.
For high school football players watching Miami’s rise and dreaming of playing on stages like the Cotton Bowl or Fiesta Bowl, understanding where to start can feel overwhelming. Rosters and depth charts are constantly changing, conferences are realigning, and the expanded CFP is reshaping how coaches build their programs.
That is where technology-driven platforms can help. With Pathley Chat, athletes can ask specific questions about potential college fits, get guidance on how their academic and athletic profiles match up with different schools, and explore options beyond the most obvious brand names.
Creating a free profile at Pathley’s sign-up portal lets recruits unlock AI-powered college matching, resume tools and personalized recruiting insights. That kind of support can help families make sense of an ever more competitive landscape, whether their goal is an ACC program like the University of Miami or a different level of college football that still aligns with their long-term academic and athletic goals.
For future Hurricanes, the message from this Cotton Bowl is clear: the standard in Coral Gables is returning to what it once was. Under Mario Cristobal, Miami has shown it can recruit at a national level, develop a disciplined, physical roster and execute on the biggest stages of the College Football Playoff.
With a CFP semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl ahead and national title aspirations alive for the first time in a generation, the 2025 Miami Hurricanes have turned their 100th season into both a celebration of history and a blueprint for the future. Whether you are a fan, a recruit or a coach, this Cotton Bowl win is a reminder that the path back to national prominence often runs through moments just like this: disciplined, physical, opportunistic performances against the sport’s most established powers.
To keep track of programs on the rise, including the University of Miami, recruits can continue exploring schools on Pathley’s college pages, starting with the Hurricanes’ profile at https://app.pathley.ai/college/university-of-miami, and use modern tools to chart their own route to the next level of college football.
