As Miami and Ohio State took the field of AT&T Stadium on New Year’s Eve, what started as a scoreless game with no big plays quickly turned into a battle to final seconds between the two teams. Which ultimately led to a victory for the Hurricanes with a final score of 24 – 14, which let Miami punch the ticket to the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale Arizona.
This highly anticipated matchup had a looming energy not only by the teams but the fan bases packing out the stadium, with hopes that the road to the National Championship wouldn’t end tonight. But for Ohio State, it seemed that dream would not be alive due to the explosive Miami defense that was not letting Ohio’s offense get away with anything.
“We keep getting better and better up front. Our players kept responding, our players kept coming with their counter punches,” said head coach Mario Cristobal.
This marked the first time in nine years that Ohio State ended the first half of a game scoreless. The last time this happened was at the Fiesta Bowl against the Clemson Tide, where the Buckeyes went on to lose and end their College Football Playoff run.
With the pick-six by Keionte Scott in the second quarter, to run the ball 72 yards downfield to put the Hurricanes ahead by double digit it’s beginning to look like a challenge for the Ohio offense to wake up and start scoring. If that doesn’t happen it looks like the reigning National Champions’ season will be cut short and the road will end in Arlington.
“I was full of emotion, I took a moment to peek at the sideline and let the crowd know what was up,” said Keionte Scott.
With 30 minutes left of play, Ohio finally got on the board with a single yard touchdown to be back in the game. But shortly after, Miami successfully nailed a 49-yard field goal putting the Hurricanes ahead by 10.
One thing was for certain: freshman Malachi Toney is a force to be reckoned with, and the talk of the outstanding freshman was right on the money. The big stage and bright lights showed the world there were no flaws to be exposed by the Ohio defense.
Through the game, Miami’s defense quickly exposed the flaws of Ohio State, with a lack of ball movement, the front seven were able hold the offense to a mere 6.2 yards per play.
As the clock ticked down in the fourth quarter, the Miami defense began having trouble with an awake Ohio offense allowing a second touchdown, with a score of 17 Miami and 14 Ohio. With almost a full quarter left, there was a ball game to be played, that was now in anyone’s hands, but with an inconsistent Buckeyes kicker, it may come down to just that.
The storyline began to shift in the final minutes with a sleepy Miami offense, the ball continued to move back and forth between teams and a mere three-point separation.
Five minutes left on the clock and Miami has possession of the ball, one scoring drive and the deal would be sealed. And with that Carson Beck, answered the call with a driving touchdown that would end the game.
Just when it seemed to be sealed, Ohio claimed the ball in hopes of scoring again but an interception by Jakobe Thomas that would be the final nail in the coffin and Miami was officially Cotton Bowl Champions.
