Kickoff time set for Ohio State-Miami CFP quarterfinal at Cotton Bowl originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It wasn’t the start to the College Football Playoff many envisioned, but Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes are moving on to the quarterfinals.
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Miami punched its ticket with a 10-3 win over Texas A&M at Kyle Field, leaning on defense in a tense, low-scoring opener. Freshman defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald sealed the victory with a game-ending interception in the back of the end zone, preserving the Hurricanes’ first CFP win.
Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck managed the game efficiently, completing 14 of 20 passes for 103 yards and the contest’s only touchdown with 1:44 remaining. Mark Fletcher Jr. and the Hurricanes’ run game added timely explosive plays to help Miami control field position late.
Now the Hurricanes are headed to Arlington, Texas, for a New Year’s Eve showdown with Ohio State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
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The quarterfinal between Miami and Ohio State is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State opened as a favorite over the Hurricanes, who enter the matchup at 11-2.
The Buckeyes arrive in Arlington as the defending national champions, despite coming off a 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game. It was their lone defeat of the season. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day’s team is expected to be fully focused as it looks to begin another postseason run.
For Miami, the matchup represents another milestone under Cristobal and a chance to keep a historic CFP run alive on college football’s biggest stage.
