Miami Upsets Ohio State 24-14 In Quarterfinal Round Of College Football Playoff
Miami and Ohio State met in the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff. Miami upset Ohio State, who were 7.5-point favorites in this game, but lost 24-14. Miami dominated Ohio State in the first half. It was crystal clear that the Miami defensive line was better than the Ohio State offensive line. Miami won in the trenches in this game when they had the ball as well.
The vaunted Ohio State defense, which was ranked first in the nation in most statistical categories, could not stop the Miami offense. This is even though the Buckeyes likely have four first-round draft picks. Do you think the time off explains Ohio State’s slow start?
Miami Beats Ohio State
Here is a scoring summary from the game. In the first quarter, there were no points scored, but Miami dominated the first quarter. Ty ended it possessing the ball very close to the Ohio State goal line.
In the second quarter, Mark Fletcher Jr. (a running back who was a one-time Ohio State commit) caught a 9-yard touchdown pass. The Hurricanes led 7-0. Then, things got worse for the Buckeyes as Heisman Trophy finalist, Ohio State Quarterback Julian Sayin threw a pick-six. Keionte Scott returned the interception 72 yards for a touchdown. After Jayden Fielding missed a 50-yard field goal, the half ended with the Hurricanes having a 14-0 lead.
In the third quarter, Bo Jackson scored a touchdown on a 1-yard run. Fielding, who had missed two consecutive field goals, kicked the extra point. Ohio State trailed 14-7. Carter Davis kicked a 43-yard field goal, and Miami led 17-7.
In the fourth quarter, Jeremiah Smith caught a 14-yard touchdown pass, and the Miami lead was 17-14. Then, CharMar Brown scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. That made it 24-14 Miami. That was how the game ended. Ohio State ended the season on a two-game losing streak.
News and Notes
- Ohio State Offensive Lineman Gabe VanSickle made his first career start. Embattled Ohio State Offensive Lineman Tegra Tshabola was injured and did not start.
- Sayin has now thrown interceptions in three consecutive games. Two of those interceptions went for touchdowns. He did not look good in his first College Football Playoff appearance.
- Ohio State had 10 yards rushing with 13 minutes left in the third quarter.
- Ohio State is 3-2 all-time vs. Miami, including the Buckeyes’ win over the Hurricanes in the National Championship Game. This win was shocking.
- Miami Head Coach Mario Cristobal came into this game 1-0 vs. Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day. He was Oregon’s head coach when the Ducks beat Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in 2021.
- Ohio State has a 7-4 record in the College Football Playoff. Miami is making its first CFP appearance.
A Fantastic Freshman
The entire Hurricanes’ offense runs through freshman Malachi Toney. He should still be a senior in high school. Toney is a running threat out of the backfield. He leads the team in receiving stats, and he is a dangerous punt returner. He has 89 receptions for 992 yards and eight touchdowns on the year. He was a little bottled by the Buckeye defense.
The Werewolf
Ohio State Linebacker Arvell Reese has been a revelation for Ohio State on defense. This was potentially a game where Reese could be unleashed. Star Miami Quarterback Carson Beck is very mobile. However, Ohio State did not get much pressure on Beck.
The last of Reese’s 6.5 sacks came at Purdue on November 8. Since then, he has only averaged eight pass rush snaps per game, per Pro Football Focus. There was hope that this would change in the Cotton Bowl. Even though the conditions were ripe for it, Reese did not factor in this game.
Parting Thoughts
So, what went wrong for Ohio State? We could posit two explanations. First, Miami had the advantage in the trenches. This is where games like this are won and lost. Second, Ohio State may have been hurt by its long layoff. Last season in the College Football Playoff, all four teams that had a bye lost.
