Keionte Scott scored on a 72-yard pick-six, Carson Beck threw a touchdown pass and no interceptions, and 10th-ranked Miami got a late stop and a late score to finish off an impressive 24-14 pounding of defending national champion Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl in the 1st College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
The ‘Canes (12-2) have won back-to-back playoff games after barely making the 12-team field, after not even playing in the ACC championship game.
One more win and they will play for a national championship in their home stadium. First they need to win their CFP semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8 against No. 3 Georgia or No. 6 Ole Miss, 2 SEC teams that will face off in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans tomorrow.
Ohio State (12-2) came into the game as a 9.5-point favorite, looking to win back-to-back national titles for the first time in program history.
Scott has scored on both of his interceptions this season. His interception return came right after Beck hit RB Mark Fletcher Jr. out of the backfield for a 9-yard TD.
Beck- a 2-time national champion as a backup at Georgia- completed 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards including a Cotton Bowl record 13 consecutive completions.
Fletcher, the game's offensive MVP, ran 19 times for 90 yards. Marty Brown came in on the last drive and ran for 26 yards on 5 carries, including the 5-yard TD run that put the game away late.
The Hurricanes sacked Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin 5 times and picked him off twice, with Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor wreaking havoc all night and the Miami secondary more than holding its own against Ohio State’s vaunted WR corps.
Scott has scored on both of his interceptions this season. Jakobe Thomas added a late pick to seal the deal for Miami.
Sayin went 22 of 35 for 287 yards and a TD pass to star WR Jeremiah Smith, a prized recruit from Miami who chose the Buckeyes over the Hurricanes. Smith caught 7 balls for 157 yards, including a 14-yard TD on a 4th down in the 4th quarter that cut the Miami lead to 17-14.
Carter Davis kicked a 49-yard field goal for the Hurricanes, whose 24 points were the most Ohio State gave up all season.
The Hurricanes have won 6 games in a row since losing 2 out of 3 (Louisville, @SMU) and almost missing the playoffs.
***** 'LIVE' Instant Reaction from Host + Hurricanes' Alum Jim "GRIES" Grieshaber, with special guest Alex Donno, Host of Locked On Canes and also a UM alum.
Miami will play the winner of Georgie vs Ole Miss on January 8th in the national semifinals in Glendale, Arizona.
"GRIES" will be here ‘LIVE’ right after the game with your CANES POSTCAST!
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