Miami defeats Ohio State 24-14 to win the Cotton Bowl and advance in College Football Playoff

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This is supposed to a professional-style game recap. And, even with that being said……..

THE. U. IS. BACK. BABY!!!!

The Miami Hurricanes did the UNTHINKABLE for those outside of South Florida, defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the school’s biggest game since both programs were on the same field almost 23 years ago. The Canes ended Ohio State’s season and advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

Mark Fletcher was the offensive MVP, totaling 90 rushing yards on 19 carries with a receiving score. Carson Beck was efficient, going 19/26 for 138 yards with one touchdown. However, his scrambles were big, adding 23 yards on 7 rushes helping the Hurricanes’ offense stay somewhat on schedule and avoid sacks. CJ Daniels was huge, totaling 5 catches for 49 yards, but his grabs were big, including the one to basically put the game away late.

Miami never trailed in the game and started off strong, moving the ball into field goal range before Fletcher, Jr. fumbled the ball away in field goal range. However, Miami’s defense absolutely owned the Buckeyes in the first half, forcing three sacks and keeping Julian Sayin and the OSU offense from doing anything.

The Hurricanes took the lead early in the second quarter. On third and short inside the ten, Miami brought in its heavy set formation, but Beck faked the run and flipped it to Fletcher, Jr. in the flat, who made it to the corner for the score in what was a nifty call there from Shannon Dawson.

And then, we had Trajan Bandy 2.0 that put Miami in a commanding position early. Keionte Scott read screen pass, broke to the backfield, picked it off, and ran it 72 yards for the touchdown and a 14-0 lead. A game-changing moment from one of Miami’s best players this year.

Ohio State pushed late to get on the board, but Ohio State pulled a 49-yard field goal wide left to end the half at 14-0.

Then, the Buckeyes woke up in a big way.

They took the opening drive of the second half 82 yards for a score, running the ball down the Canes’ throats with Bo Jackson finishing it off from a yard out. Miami answered with a field goal drive of their own, with Carter Davis knocking it through from 50 yards out.

But Ohio State made things uncomfortably close early on the fourth quarter. On fourth-and-2, Sayin found Jeremiah Smith, who had a big day, for a 14-yard score on fourth-and-2, and all of a sudden, momentum was firmly on OSU’s side.

It continued even more that way after Miami punted, and the Buckeyes took over again with the ball.

But then, Miami’s defense made a huge stand. OSU was flagged for holding, and that backed them up to second-and-20, and they’d eventually punt with six minutes left.

And then, Miami would go on the drive of the entire season. Marty Brown was key on the drive, catching a third down pass for a first down to keep the drive going. He then ran for 13 yards for a first down. On third-and-4 at the OSU 20 with 2 minutes left, Daniels caught a screen a weaved his way for a first down to the Buckeyes’ seven. Two plays later, Brown bowled into the end zone with less than a minute left, and the issue was no longer in doubt. Jakobe Thomas picked off Sayin around midfield, and Miami kneeled it out for a program-changing win.

The Canes did it, folks! On to the semis in Glendale, AZ in the Fiesta Bowl! Go Canes!

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