The College Football Playoff Quarterfinals began on Wednesday night between the Miami Hurricanes (12-2) against the Ohio State Buckeyes (12-2) in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Miami shut out Ohio State 14-0 at halftime on a nine-yard touchdown pass by Carson Beck to Mark Fletcher Jr., and a Keionte Scott’s pick-six 72-yard touchdown. In the second half, Ohio State running back Bo Jackson scored a one-yard touchdown to cut Miami’s lead to 14-7 in the third quarter. Miami kicker Carter Davis made a 49-yard field goal for a 17-7 lead with 5:04 left.
In the fourth quarter, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith. Miami put the game away late when CharMar Brown scored a 5-yard touchdown. The Hurricanes defeated the Buckeyes 24-14 to advance to the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Miami’s offense had 291 yards (138 yards passing, 153 yards rushing), 18 first downs, and the team had no penalties. Quarterback Carson Beck completed 19 of 26 passes (73%) for 138 yards, one touchdown, and seven carries for 23 yards.
Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. had 19 carries for 90 yards, two catches for 25 yards, and one touchdown, while CharMar Brown had five carries for 26 yards and one rushing touchdown. Wide receiver C.J. Daniels made five catches for 49 yards, while Keelan Marion made five catches for 36 yards.
Kicker Carter Davis made one field goal for 49 yards and made three extra points. The defense made 58 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions, two pass breakups, and one touchdown.
Ohio State’s offense had 332 yards (287 yards passing, 45 yards rushing), 18 first downs, and the team was penalized two times for 15 yards. Quarterback Julian Sayin completed 22 of 35 passes (62.9%) for 287 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and five carries for -42 yards.
Running back Bo Jackson had 11 carries for 55 yards and one rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith made seven catches for 157 yards and one touchdown, while Carnell Tate made three catches for 37 yards.
Kicker Jayden Fielding missed one field goal and made two extra points. The defense made 67 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery.
