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Miami Outlasted Ohio State in the Trenches and Warned the College Football Playoff Field
ARLINGTON, Texas – Miami has received a lot of attention for its top-notch transfer quarterbacks and dynamic offensive playmakers. But when the Hurricanes were at their peak, “OR” was defined by physicality. No. 2 Ohio State was a perfect stress test for the Hurricanes, fresh off their first playoff victory. On the third play of the game, Ohio State’s offensive line parted like the Red Sea and kraken-like defensive ends Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor broke through for the first of many sacks against Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin. “It’s just three and four,” defensive end Rueben Bain said. “That’s exactly what three and four do, play fast, play physical, just play that type of football.” Three and four in this case refer to Mesidor and Bain, the best defensive combination in college football. And for the Hurricanes, the duo is a setback. No. 10 Miami didn’t just beat Ohio State in one of the biggest upsets of the playoff era. They pulverized them, turning their 9.5-point underdog status into a 24-14 victory against the defending national champions. The Hurricanes held the Buckeyes to negative rushing yards in the first half and rushed for more yards against Ohio State than any other team since the season opener. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal is an offensive line coach by trade and his physical presence permeates the entire program. The Hurricanes recruited and developed to an elite level in both trenches, developing the consensus of all Americans on both sides. At a time when offensive lines are regressing nationally, Miami is only getting better. “When you look at what we face every day, when we do well, that’s my favorite practice period,” defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman said. “It’s not exactly the same look you’re going to get, not exactly the same lineup, not exactly the same pitcher — but you’re seeing the fastball and the fastball.” When facing Ohio State, both trenches were more than ready for the challenge. The Hurricanes pursued Sayin from the start. After sacking him in the first, the Buckeyes tried to go to the quick play and Keionte Scott jumped the route and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown. The defense finished with five sacks, including three combined by Mesidor and Bain. In the second half, Miami tried to use short passes and inside runs to take Miami’s playmakers out of the game. But in the game’s decision, Ohio State was called for a play that prevented points. Miami managed to end the game with a field goal. The Buckeyes have been the standard in college football for years. In the Cotton Bowl, there was no doubt which team was the more physical. “They are a good unit, they have good players on their team,” Mesidor said. “But at the end of the day, if you give it to me and Rueben one on one, we’ll enjoy it all day. I take us every time.” In the last moments of the game, Miami’s offensive line took over. Running back CharMar Brown came off the bench to throw for 26 physical yards, adding to MVP Mark Fletcher Jr.’s 115 overall yards. It was the second week in a row that Cristobal leaned on his signature offensive line and run game to close out the game. Once again, this led to a game-sealing touchdown. “We’re getting better and better on offense,” Cristobal said. “We don’t think we’ve come very far, but we certainly think we’re getting better. When you play a team like this, which has been the number one defense in the country all year, you have to do that. Miami was the subject of controversy when it overtook Notre Dame for the final spot in the College Football Playoff rankings. After wins over No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 2 Ohio State, the Hurricanes proved they belong. In the next round, Miami takes the winner of Georgia vs. Ole Miss and a spot in the semifinals of the Fiesta Bowl. After passing the program’s biggest test in at least 20 years, Miami is ready to fight with anyone it comes across. “(Cristobal) told me we’re going to take this program back to national championship status,” Fletcher said. “We’re going to keep taking it one game at a time.”
Published: 2026-01-01 06:40:00
source: www.cbssports.com
