Miami outlasts Texas A&M in CFP debut, advances to Cotton Bowl
Hurricanes survive 10-3 in Kyle Field slugfest; Malachi Toney delivers late go-ahead TD as Miami advances to face Ohio State
Miami outlasted Texas A&M 10-3 in a defensive CFP first-round game at Kyle Field on Saturday, earning a spot in the Cotton Bowl. Malachi Toney’s 11-yard touchdown reception with less than two minutes remaining provided the deciding points for the Hurricanes.
Texas A&M pressed for the tying score in the final minutes but Marcel Reed threw an interception in the end zone, sealing the Hurricanes' victory. Miami's defense held firm, and the Hurricanes, led by a career-best 172 rushing yards from Mark Fletcher Jr., improved to 1-0 in CFP play this season.
Carter Davis missed three field goals in gusty winds, including a 21-yard attempt in the third quarter that finally put Miami on the board after a scoreless first half, the first such half in CFP history. The Hurricanes added the late TD to push the lead to 10-0 before Texas A&M answered with a late field goal to make it 10-3; Reed's end-zone interception sealed the outcome.
The Hurricanes will face Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31, continuing a run for a national title that last eluded Miami in 2001. Texas A&M's national-title drought will extend at least one more year, and the CFP debut for both programs provided a dramatic early showcase of the format.
