Cotton Bowl Highlights: Miami Staves Off Ohio State to Advance to CFP Semis

This highly anticipated CFP matchup delivered big time after Miami jumped out to a two-touchdown lead in the first half, and the Buckeyes rallied to keep it close. Ohio State’s offense just didn’t have enough to top the Hurricanes, who advance to the CFP semifinals and will play the winner of No. 3 Georgia or No. 6 Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl semifinals on Jan. 8.

Miami quarterback Carson Beck went 19 for 26 and threw for 138 yards and one touchdown, adding 23 rushing yards on seven carries. Running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and CharMar Brown had strong performances, as Fletcher finished with 90 yards on 19 carries while Brown scored a clutch late fourth-quarter touchdown.

For the Buckeyes, quarterback Julian Saying threw for 287 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, completing 22 of 35 passes. He was also sacked five times in the Cotton Bowl after being sacked just six times during the whole regular season. 

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith still had a standout game, racking up 157 yards and one touchdown, while running back Bo Jackson added 55 rushing yards and Ohio State’s other trip to the end zone.