After showing ‘grit’ against Texas A&M, Miami sets sights on Cotton Bowl
After winning a defensive battle against Texas A&M in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Miami is coming to Dallas-Fort Worth to take on defending national champion Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl in a New Year’s Eve quarterfinal.
Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal talked Monday about what his team showed against the Aggies at College Station.
“Proud of our team going on the road against a really good football team and a challenging environment, and just showing grit, toughness and resiliency and just responding really well in some really critical situations,” he said. “I appreciate our fans for the way they traveled and showed up. Clean up the film, learn from it, and quickly turn the page over to our opportunity coming up here in the Cotton Bowl.”
The No. 10-seeded Hurricanes (11-2) will battle the No. 2 Buckeyes (12-1) at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at AT&T Stadium.
Miami outlasted the No. 7 Aggies (11-2) in a 10-3 slugfest and secured the win with an interception in the end zone by freshman Bryce Fitzgerald in the final seconds.
Miami’s lone touchdown was scored by Malachi Toney, who had a critical fumble earlier in the game. Cristobal said he was proud of how his team supported Toney after the mistake.
“What an unbelievable moment, and from a sports, an athletic standpoint, but also from a life standpoint, right?” Cristobal said. “I mean, the moment something didn’t go as planned, and there’s a downturn from an emotional standpoint, to see so many people just race and gravitate to him to reassure the fact that we believe in you and we trust you, and you’re going to make a play to change this thing.
“And lo and behold, it ended up working out that way. So I think it’s always the best part about football, right? I mean, the lessons that come with it.”
The Hurricanes now turn their preparation to the Ohio State.
Cristobal responded Monday to star Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who referenced Ohio State’s controversial double-overtime victory over Miami in the national championship game in 2003.
“They’re still talking about that 20 years later. They’re still worried about it,” Smith told reporters. “We got something for them coming New Year’s Eve.”
Cristobal said inflammatory press conference statements weren’t a part of the Hurricanes’ culture.
“I have too much respect for the game of football, having played it, to openly, just come out and speak about other teams. To each his own,” Cristobal said. “I don’t judge. Different programs have different ways of doing things. It’s not part of our culture. Always respect your opponent, always prepare to the highest standard humanly possible, and just go from there.”
This story was originally published December 22, 2025 at 6:26 PM.
