John B’s Sports Blog

By John Brown Dec-30-2025 10:09pm

On the last day in 2025, Wednesday, December 31st, #2 Ohio State will face off against #10 Miami in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. The last post season bout between these teams took place nearly 23 years ago, in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl on a 70 degree night in Sun Devil Stadium located in Tempe Arizona, the home of the Fiesta Bowl since 1971, The Fiesta Bowl then moved in 2007 to the State Farm Stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. With 77,502 in attendance, network ABC broadcasted the game with play-by-play from Keith Jackson and color commentary by Dan Fouts, Lynn Swann and Todd Harris reporting from the sideline.

The 2001 Miami team had won the national championship the year prior going 12-0, No.1 Miami coached by Larry Coker was also 12-0 and heavily favored going in to this game against a No.2 Ohio State coached by Jim Tressel. Defense was a big factor early with 3 scoreless drives, the first points on the board came from Miami scoring late in the 1st quarter with legendary Miami safety Sean Taylor’s Interception set up a 25 yard pass from Ken Dorsey connecting with Roscoe Parish for a touchdown.

In the 2nd, Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year, Mike Doss kept the Buckeyes in the game with a momentum boosting interception deep in Miami territory, leading to a 1 yard rushing touchdown by Craig Krenzel for Ohio State, thanks to an offsides penalty by Vince Wilfork on 3rd down.

Miami rallied back after being down 10 points in the 4th quarter, tie ball game at 17-17. In the first overtime Miami scored taking a 24-17 lead, Ohio States drive initially ended on a 4th and 3 incompletion, a controversial late flag for pass interference on Miamis Glenn Sharpe gave Ohio State’s Craig Krenzel another 1-yard rushing touchdown to send the game to double overtime.

In the 2nd overtime Ohio State scores first on a 5-yard run by Maurice Clarett. Miami was able to reach the 1-yard line with a 1st and goal opening but was stopped 4 times giving Ohio State their 7th National Championship Title.

Miami Quarter back Ken Dorsey was 38-1 as a starter prior to this game. Ohio State’s victory snapped the Hurricanes 34 game win streak. Craig Krenzel rushed for 81 yards with 2 rushing touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Ken Dorsey passed for 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions with a total of 296 yards passing.

Let’s go Buckeyes! 🅾️🙌🙏🅾️