Three-and-a-half weeks.
It’s been three-and-a-half weeks since Ohio State lost to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, a pissed-off Buckeye team gets the chance to unload that frustration on Miami, which enters the Cotton Bowl at 11–2 and fresh off a win at Texas A&M in the CFP first round.
Tonights Stage pic.twitter.com/GCtMKnYMHc
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 31, 2025
The Hurricanes will test Ohio State on both sides of the ball. Miami’s offense is led by veteran quarterback Carson Beck, powered by running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and highlighted by freshman phenom wide receiver Malachi Toney. On defense, the Hurricanes boast a disruptive front featuring future first-round picks Reuben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, a daunting matchup for an Ohio State offensive line that surrendered five sacks in the Big Ten title game. Defensive back Keointe Scott serves as Miami’s version of Caleb Downs, impacting the game at an elite level in every area of the field.
“We've had a few weeks to go through and identify the things that we've done well during the regular season and then the things that we need to do better in order to win this game, because that's the focus, is winning this game,” Ryan Day said on Monday. “That's it. Nothing else.”
Twenty-three years ago, Ohio State capped a then-unprecedented 14-0 season by beating Miami for its first national championship in 34 years. On Wednesday, the Buckeyes must avoid a faceplant at the starting line of another postseason journey — once again against the Hurricanes.
JAN. 1, 2025
Miami Out-Executes Ohio State on Crucial Third Downs
Miami dominated Ohio State when it mattered on third downs, proving a costly piece of situational failure for the Buckeyes.
JAN. 1, 2025
After Carmen: Ohio State’s Repeat Bid Falls Flat
We break down what went wrong in Ohio State’s 24-14 loss to Miami as the Buckeyes’ bid for a second straight national title falls flat in their College Football Playoff opener.
JAN. 1, 2025
Cristobal: Ohio State "Really Well-Coached Team"
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal called Ohio State "a really well-coached team" and "really difficult to prepare for" following Ohio State's loss to the Hurricanes.
JAN. 1, 2025
Presser Bullets: Day Will “Look At” Game Planning Structure
Ryan Day will “look at” Ohio State's offensive game planning and play-calling structure after it failed against Miami and said a terrible start cost the Buckeyes.
JAN. 1, 2025
Buckeyes Fall to Miami in CFP Quarterfinal
Ohio State’s season ends in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals as the Buckeyes fall to No. 10 seed Miami, 24-14, in the Cotton Bowl.
DEC. 31, 2025
Jeremiah Smith Delivers on Fourth Down
Trailing 17-7, Ohio State went for it on 4th-and-2 at the Miami 14-yard line and Julian Sayin connected with Jeremiah Smith over the middle. Smith went the extra mile by weaving through the Hurricanes' defense for a touchdown, making it a 17-14 ballgame.
JULIAN SAYIN TO JEREMIAH SMITH
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2026
We've got a one-score game on ESPN and the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/YXW1RlGCBP
DEC. 31, 2025
Miami Defensive Tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. Exits With Injury
Miami took a blow to its defensive line when Ahmad Moten Sr., its best defensive tackle, got rolled up on a third-quarter running play and exited the game after lying on the field in pain for a few minutes. Moten is a second-team All-ACC performer.
DEC. 31, 2025
Bo Jackson Caps 82-Yard Touchdown Drive to Open Second Half
Ohio State scored a desperately-needed touchdown to open the second half on an 11-play, 82-yard drive capped by a 1-yard run from Bo Jackson. It cut the Buckeyes' deficit to 14-7 in the third quarter.
Bo Jackson opens up the scoring for the Buckeyes
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2026
Watch the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on ESPN and the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/B3YFAL7qyh
DEC. 31, 2025
Ian Moore In at Left Tackle for Austin Siereveld
Ohio State left tackle Austin Siereveld appeared to suffer and lower body injury during the first half. While Siereveld played through the injury up until halftime, Ian Moore subbed in for the Buckeyes' captain for the team's opening drive of the second half. Siereveld was on the Ohio State sideline without his helmet for the drive.
DEC. 31, 2025
Fielding Misses Field Goal to Close Half
Julian Sayin and the passing game finally generated some momentum for Ohio State's offense in a well-done two-minute drill before halftime, only for kicker Jayden Fielding to miss a 50-yard field goal attempt.
MISSED IT
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 1, 2026
14-0 MIAMI HURRICANES AT THE HALF#PMSCFP pic.twitter.com/cjhqEtbAW7
DEC. 31, 2025
70-Yard Pick-Six for Miami
Nickel Keionte Scott jumped an attempted bubble screen after seeing a telltale motion, intercepted Julian Sayin's pass and dashed 70 yards the other way to put Miami ahead 14-0 in the second quarter.
KEIONTE SCOTT PICK SIX
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 1, 2026
"TAKE IT TO THE CRIB" ~ @DariusJButler #PMSCFP pic.twitter.com/T0opqwHP1D
DEC. 31, 2025
Miami Draws First Blood
The Hurricanes got on the board with a great bit of play design, getting Ohio State to think run before Carson Beck connected with Mark Fletcher Jr. to score on a wheel route.
MARK FLETCHER JR
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 1, 2026
TOUCHDOWN MIAMI HURRICANES #PMSCFP pic.twitter.com/7h8C3SDksD
DEC. 31, 2025
Ohio State Forces Fumble
Ohio State's defense kept Miami off the board as it neared the end zone with a fumble forced by Payton Pierce.
PAYTON PIERCE FORCED FUMBLEpic.twitter.com/uusjZA6dgi
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) January 1, 2026
DEC. 31, 2025
Lorenzo Styles Jr. Exits With Injury
Ohio State nickel Lorenzo Styles Jr. left to go to the Buckeyes' medical tent with an apparent shoulder injury in the first quarter. He has not yet returned.
DEC. 31, 2025
Gabe VanSickle Makes First Career Start at Right Guard
Redshirt freshman Gabe VanSickle has been announced as Ohio State's starting right guard in place of the injured Tegra Tshabola, getting the nod over redshirt sophomore Joshua Padilla. Padilla is expected to rotate in to keep VanSickle fresh.
DEC. 31, 2025
Status Report: Tshabola Out, All Other Starters Available
Tegra Tshabola is out for the Cotton Bowl, but all of Ohio State's other starters are slated to be available vs. Miami.
DEC. 30, 2025
Preview: Cotton Bowl
Miami brings a serious test for Ohio State's offensive line fixes as Ryan Day returns to calling plays at the start of do-or-die season for the Buckeyes' repeat championship hopes.
DEC. 30, 2025
Cotton Bowl Media Day Notebook
We share what Keenan Bailey said about his additional duties for the CFP, C.J. Hicks and Malik Hartford said about their redshirts and more from Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl media day.
DEC. 30, 2025
Cotton Bowl Media Day Notebook
We share what Keenan Bailey said about his additional duties for the CFP, C.J. Hicks and Malik Hartford said about their redshirts and more from Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl media day.
DEC. 29, 2025
Cotton Bowl Game Trailer
"You and yours versus me and mine all day long, man. Sixty minutes. Four quarters," Ohio State walk-on wide receiver Nolan Baudo said in the trailer.
DEC. 29, 2025
Miami Q&A with Adam Lichtenstein
Adam Lichtenstein, who covers Miami for the Sun Sentinel, says Hurricane fans view the Cotton Bowl as a revenge game and Miami‘s pass rush is its biggest strength.
DEC. 29, 2025
Cotton Bowl Game Poster
In the winter of 2003, the dynasty broke, the illusion faded, and the U was never the same.
