Chris Russell, COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The sixth meeting between Ohio State and Miami will take place in Dallas, Texas, in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl.
Miami defeated Texas A&M 10-3 in the first round of the College Football Playoff. With the win, the Hurricanes clinched a spot in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl to take on the Buckeyes. This matchup will mark the sixth meeting between Miami and Ohio State.
Let’s take a look at the previous five meetings:
1977: Buckeyes Shut Down Hurricanes 10-0
The 1977 matchup against the Hurricanes was a defensive beatdown. All-American Tom Cousineau created havoc and also picked off Miami QB E.J. Baker, who finished with just a total of negative 63 yards rushing. The Buckeyes allowed a total of -13 yards rushing for the game and forced Miami to turn the ball over 3 times. Tailback Ron Springs led the way for Woody Hayes’ Buckeyes with 27 carries and 114 of the 267 team rushing yards. The Ohio State offense ran a total of 80 plays, of which 71 were on the ground. Sounds like a typical day at the office for Woody Hayes’ teams. Quarterback Ron Gerald was 6 of 9 for 67 yards through the air in the 10-0 victory over the Hurricanes.
1999: Kickoff Classic
The Buckeyes and Hurricanes met for the first time on August 29, 1999, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 12th-ranked Hurricanes defeated the 9th-ranked Buckeyes 23-12.
Ohio State was coming off a 1998 campaign in which it lost several key players to graduation and the NFL. The Buckeyes were breaking in a new starting quarterback, as head coach John Cooper rotated two young signal callers, Austin Moherman and Steve Bellisari. Both quarterbacks struggled, as Ohio State mustered only 220 yards of total offense.
Led by head coach Butch Davis, Miami gained 398 yards of offense, with running back James Jackson pacing the attack with 13 carries for 89 yards. Despite quarterback Kenny Kelly committing two turnovers, the Hurricanes overcame the mistakes and defeated the Buckeyes.
2003: Fiesta Bowl — Ohio State Wins Seventh National Championship
The heavily favored, defending national champion Miami Hurricanes, led by Heisman candidates Ken Dorsey and Willis McGahee, entered the game with most of the national media believing the 13-0 Ohio State Buckeyes had little chance.
Ohio State countered with a bend-but-don’t-break defense led by All-Americans Matt Wilhelm and Mike Doss, along with All-Big Ten standouts Chris Gamble and Will Smith Sr. The Buckeyes’ defensive goal was to shut down the run and force Dorsey to throw against coverage.
Although future Hall of Famer Andre Johnson wasn’t a big threat, it was tight end Kellen Winslow who led Miami with 11 receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. Miami outgained Ohio State, but the Buckeyes played relentless football and made timely plays.
Early in the third quarter, with Ohio State leading 14-7, Sean Taylor intercepted Craig Krenzel in the end zone. On the return, Maurice Clarett famously stripped the ball from Taylor, giving the Buckeyes possession and setting up a Mike Nugent field goal.
Miami later scored a touchdown and kicked a field goal in the fourth quarter to tie the game, sending it into overtime. The Hurricanes struck first in overtime on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Dorsey to Winslow.
On Ohio State’s possession, facing fourth-and-14, Craig Krenzel converted with a 17-yard completion to Michael Jenkins. Three plays later, Miami’s Glenn Sharpe was called for pass interference on two-way player Chris Gamble in the end zone with one of the most controversial calls in college football history.
One play later, Krenzel scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to tie the game 24-24. In the second overtime, Ohio State scored first on a goal-line touchdown by Maurice Clarett. With Miami facing fourth and goal, linebacker Cie Grant blitzed off the edge and sacked Dorsey, sealing a 31-24 double-overtime victory and Ohio State’s first national championship since 1968.
2010: Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes Defeat Miami in The Shoe
Although this game was later vacated, it has not been forgotten. Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes hosted Miami in a premier non-conference matchup, seven years after Ohio State defeated the Hurricanes for the national title.
Ohio State won convincingly, 36-24. Pryor rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown while completing 12 of 27 passes for 233 yards and another score. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris threw for 232 yards on 22 of 39 passing but was intercepted four times by the Buckeyes’ defense, led by Cam Heyward.
Heyward had a massive 80-yard interception return on Miami’s opening drive of the second half, effectively ending any chance of a Hurricanes comeback. Ohio State dominated the game from start to finish.
2011: Miami Gets a Win in a Buckeye Down Year
The 2011 season is one that Ohio State fans would rather forget. Under interim head coach Luke Fickell, the Buckeyes traveled to Miami with plenty of uncertainty despite a 2-0 start.
The Hurricanes dominated, winning 24-6. Lamar Miller gashed the Buckeyes for 184 rushing yards, while Jacory Harris threw for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State’s offense struggled mightily, as freshman Braxton Miller relieved Joe Bauserman. The two quarterbacks combined to go just 4-of-18 for 23 yards passing.
Ohio State finished the season 6-7, the worst record in program history at the time.
Next: Cotton Bowl Quarterfinal
The sixth meeting between the Buckeyes and Hurricanes will take place in Dallas, Texas, in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl. Early odds have Ohio State favored by 10.5 points. Buckeyes currently hold a 3-2 series record against Miami. Will they get their fourth? That remains to be seen.
Catch the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN.
