Miami players offered plenty of praise for Ohio State’s offense and defense on Tuesday.
Eight Miami players met with the media on Tuesday, and all of them had good things to say about the Buckeyes when they were asked about what they’ve seen on film as they’ve started studying their upcoming opponent in the Cotton Bowl. They still believe in their ability to win, however, with defensive end Akheem Mesidor saying he doesn’t care that the Hurricanes are viewed as the underdog for their College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
We’ve rounded up some of the best and most notable things we heard from Miami’s players on Tuesday, including how Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin has impressed Miami’s star defensive end Rueben Bain Jr., why Miami right tackle Francis Mauigoa always expected greatness from his former high school teammate Carnell Tate and the challenge the Hurricanes expect from the Buckeyes in the trenches.
“For his age, he’s very knowledgeable of the game. He’s got the mindset to carry him very far. He's a real smart young guy. Like as a sophomore, you wouldn't expect nobody to have the mindset and skill set that he does, but he does and he’s going out and playing just as if he was a fifth- or fourth-year guy.”– Miami DE Rueben Bain Jr. on Ohio State Qb Julian Sayin
Sayin is the only quarterback in the country with a higher completion percentage than Miami’s own quarterback, Carson Beck, so Miami’s top defender has good reason to be impressed by what he’s seen from Ohio State’s QB. While Beck is a third-year starter in his sixth year of college football, Sayin is a first-year starter in his second year of college.
“I already knew he was going to do what he's doing right now. I mean, he was that guy over there at IMG. Head down and didn't really talk much, but he’s all about his business. But he's the same guy that I'm seeing on film as well. He's been going around catching balls, making plays down there, which is what I expected out of him from the day we met at IMG. He's a great guy, great leader, great teammate as well. And I know he'll be one of the threats at Ohio State.”– Miami RT Francis Mauigoa on Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, his high school teammate at IMG Academy
Miami’s star right tackle played with Carnell Tate at IMG Academy in 2021 and 2022, so he’s not surprised that Tate has developed into one of the best wide receivers in college football at Ohio State, catching 48 passes for 838 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
Miami defensive back Keionte Scott also praised Ohio State’s wide receivers.
“Definitely an exciting matchup for us. We're excited to get out there. And that’s definitely something they do a good job of, stretching the field and creating explosive plays. Good hands, good routes, finding zone holes. So they do a good job. They have a great room and we’re excited for it.”– Miami DB Keionte Scott on Ohio State’s wide receivers
Bain also praised Ohio State’s offensive line. He noted the challenge of playing a unit that already has experience playing deep into the College Football Playoff, as OSU left tackle Austin Siereveld, left guard Luke Montgomery and center Carson Hinzman were all key players during Ohio State’s national championship run last season.
“It's just another good group we got to go against. I mean, they're big, they're physical, they're talented. they communicate well, experienced. They’ve all been in these shoes before, especially this deep in the playoffs. Knowing that, we're going to go against a team, program, and a position that's very experienced and talented.”– Miami DE Rueben Bain Jr. on Ohio State’s offensive line
As for the other side of the ball, Miami’s offensive players are well aware of the challenge they’re going to face from Ohio State’s top-ranked defense.
Carson Beck noted that he was still in the early stages of his film study for next week’s game, but said he expects all three levels of the Buckeyes’ defense to test the Hurricanes – though, as Ryan Day and Ohio State often do, he said his team’s results will ultimately be “about us” as Miami focuses on how it needs to execute.
“They're a very, very talented defense. In the back end, the front seven, I mean, they can run all over the field, sideline to sideline. They attack the ball well. They swarm. And their DBs are really, really good. So it's going to be a challenge for us offensively, but it's a challenge that we're looking forward to. But we do recognize how talented they are, and that we're going to have to come and execute. And at the end of the day, it will be about us.”– Miami QB Carson Beck on Ohio State’s defense
Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr., a former Ohio State commit, praised the Buckeyes’ ability to create “chaos everywhere.”
“Big up front, big on the second level. Safeties come down, hit, communicate very well, fly around. It's just chaos everywhere. Those guys, they chase the ball, communicate very well. And they're just ballplayers. Excited for the challenge. Gamers on every level.”– Miami RB Mark Fletcher Jr. on Ohio State’s run defense
Mauigoa and Miami center James Brockermeyer both said they believe the success of Ohio State’s defense starts with its defensive line, so they know their ability to win battles in the trenches will be crucial to the Hurricanes’ chances, but they’re both excited for the challenge.
“Their D-line is the power of their defense. I mean, these guys work so hard, and they’re who they are because of them. With a lot of All-Americans all around the board, and a lot of great talent around their defense as well. We're pretty excited to go over and get to play with them and get to compete for the one goal that we all want.”– Miami RT Francis Mauigoa on Ohio State’s defensive line
“They're super talented. I would imagine all those guys will have great careers in the NFL and they've had a great season. They're strong, they're smart, they're physical, they play the game the right way. So once again, we have a tremendous challenge on our hands and it's a great opportunity for us.”– Miami C James Brockermeyer on Ohio State’s defensive line
All of that said, however, the Hurricanes won’t enter the Cotton Bowl feeling like beating Ohio State is some insurmountable challenge. While Ohio State was a 9.5-point betting favorite as of Tuesday, Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor said he’s paying no attention to the outside noise and that the Hurricanes believe in their ability to win.
“I don't really care about what anybody has to say. We all play football, we're all ballers in our minds, we all believe in each other and believe in ourselves. So all the exterior noise and stuff, I don't really care for it. I'm just here to play football.”– Miami DE Akheem Mesidor on being an underdog
