It may not have been pretty, but Miami won the defensive battle and made just enough field goals to beat Texas A&M in front of the famous 12th Man in its first ever College Football Playoff game.
Running back Mark Fletcher took over in the second half, running for a career-high 172 yards on 17 carries, including a career-best 56-yarder to set up Malachi Toney’s game-winning touchdown with under 2 minutes left. The score came minutes after the electric freshman fumbled the ball at midfield, after which Fletcher helped calm the 18-year-old down on the bench.
The Hurricanes (11-2) now turn their sights to the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve, where they will meet reigning national champion Ohio State (12-1) in what’s sure to be another defensive slugfest. The vaunted unit was outstanding against the Aggies (11-2), who saw their incredible season start with 11 straight wins and end with two agonizing losses.
Rueben Bain led the way with a career-best three sacks, part of seven for the day against Marcel Reed. A&M’s dual-threat QB threw for 237 yards and gained 57 on the ground, but he also threw two interceptions to freshman safety Bryce Fitzgerald. The last one came with 24 seconds left and the Aggies looking to tie the game from UM’s 4-yard line. Fitzgerald leads the team with six picks this season.
The defense needed to step up on a day the offense was mostly silent. The total yardage doesn’t seem too out of place — 326 for Texas A&M and 278 for Miami — but Carson Beck had trouble getting anything going all game. The Georgia transfer notched his 35th win as a starter, but he had just 103 yards through the air, and his touchdown pass to Toney traveled a few feet at most in the air.
The kickers for both teams struggled mightily. Jared Zirkel had a chip-shot field goal blocked by Bain, and Miami’s Carter Davis, 14 of 16 on field goals entering the game, missed three of his four tries.
The Palm Beach Post brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Check it out.
Miami vs Texas A&M score updates
Miami vs. Texas A&M highlights from CFP game
Who does Miami play next?
Next for the Hurricanes is defending champion Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. The 12-1 Buckeyes lost in the Big Ten championship game but remained No. 2 in the final CFP rankings. Miami of course famously lost to Ohio State in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl thanks to a questionable pass-interference call, giving the Buckeyes another chance to win the national championship.
When does Miami play Ohio State in Cotton Bowl?
The Hurricanes and Buckeyes meet in the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN.
Miami vs. Ohio State tickets
You can find Cotton Bowl tickets for Miami vs. Ohio State on StubHub.
Malachi Toney stats vs. Texas A&M
Electrifying 18-year-old Malachi Toney has done it all for Miami this season, setting the program freshman record with 970 receiving yards and totaling 10 touchdowns catching, rushing and passing. He had Miami’s first big play of the game with a 55-yard punt return, but his fourth-quarter fumble stopped a Hurricanes drive at midfield. He made up for it with an 11-yard touchdown on a jet-action touch pass. Here’s a look at his numbers against Texas A&M:
Carson Beck stats vs. Texas A&M
Carson Beck is now 35-5 as a starting quarterback between his time at Georgia and Miami, but he left a lot to be desired in is his first CFP start. Beck did avoid turning the ball over after throwing six of his ACC-leading 10 interceptions in the Hurricanes’ two losses this season.
He was 8 of 12 for just 31 yards at halftime, the lowest first-half total in a CFP game since Jalen Hurts was pulled at halftime after throwing for 21 yards in the 2018 national championship. His 103 yards were the lowest in a game he’s started and finished. Here’s a look at his numbers against Texas A&M:
Bryce Fitzgerald interception seals Miami win
Armondo Blount was flagged for roughing the passer after a pass to KC Concepcion, putting the Aggies at midfield. Marcel Reed somehow fit a pass to Nate Boerkircher, then scrambled nine yards to get to the Miami 25. EJ Smith, son of Florida great Emmitt Smith, picked up the first down to the 19, then Concepcion got open across the middle to get inside the 5.
Reed tried to hit Mario Carver in the back of the end zone, but the receiver was well out of bounds. On third down, Bryce Fitzgerald grabbed his second interception of the game to wrap it up for Miami. Score: Miami 10, TAMU 3, 0:24 in 4Q
Mohamed Toure injury
With the Aggies driving with 28 seconds left, linebacker Mohamed Toure laid a vicious hit on running back Rueben Owens at the goal line, forcing an incompletion. Toure stayed on the ground afterward but eventually jogged off the field. Owens also limped off the field.
Malachi Toney touchdown puts Miami ahead
After five straight runs to Mark Fletcher, Malachi Toney took a push pass 11 yards to the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. It’s a huge bounce-back after the freshman fumbled on their last drive. Score: Miami 10, TAMU 3, 1:44 in 4Q
Mark Fletcher has a career day
Rueben Bain stepped up for the Miami defense, notching two sacks to force a Texas A&M punt. Then Mark Fletcher took over with a career-long 56-yard run up the right sideline. He’s found himself with a career day with 167 yards, taking the Hurricanes down to the 16-yard line as A&M starts taking timeouts. Score: Miami 3, TAMU 3, 1:55 in 4Q
Malachi Toney fumbles
Mark Fletcher has been breaking some bigger runs in the second half, kick-starting Miami’s drive with a tackle-breaking 16-yard scamper off the left side. But on the next play, Carson Beck threw behind Malachi Toney, and as the spinning freshman spun to make the catch, safety Dalton Brooks stripped the ball loose and Daymion Sanford hopped on it at the Aggies’ 47-yard line. Toney was despondent on the bench afterward, with Fletcher among the leaders consoling him. Score: Miami 3, Texas A&M 3, 7:10 in 4Q
Randy Bond field goal ties the game for Texas A&M
The Aggies had their best drive of the second half to open the fourth quarter, aided by David Blay jumping offside on third-and-3. Marcel Reed rifled a ball to KC Concepcion for a sliding catch at the Miami 20, but upon review, the ball hit the grass. Reed fit it into a tight window to Ashton Bethel-Roman that just made the first-down marker at the Miami 31. But Akheem Mesidor sacked Reed at the 16, and Nate Boerkircher dropped a third-down pass. Texas A&M sent out Randy Bond, who started the season as its starting kicker, for a game-tying 35-yard field goal, which went right down the middle. Score: Miami 3, TAMU 3, 8:03 in 4Q
Ahmad Moten injury
Amid a long drive for Texas A&M, defensive tackle Ahmad Moten stayed on a knee after Mario Craver spun for a first down on the other side of the field. The training staff came over to tend to him. Moten is an essential part of the Miami defense, tied for third on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss and tied for second with 4.5 sacks entering today’s game. The redshirt junior has assisted on one tackle today.
Albert Regins, Le’Veon Moss injury
Mark Fletcher ran for a yard and was tackled by defensive tackle Albert Regins, who stayed on the ground after the play with an injury. He was helped up and walked off the field with the help of trainers. As he did, ESPN showed Texas A&M running back Le’Veon Moss, who made his return today after missing six games with an ankle injury, walking with a towel over his head into the locker room. He has seven carries for 15 yards and a 5-yard catch today.
Carter Davis misses third field goal
Miami’s offense stayed stuck in the mud, and Carter Davis’ struggles with the swirling winds at Kyle Field continued. A flea flicker was aborted by Carson Beck for a 2-yard run, followed by a short Girard Pringle run and an incomplete pass meant for Malachi Toney. Carter Davis, who entered the game with just two misses all season, clanged the 35-yard field-goal try off the left upright. Score: Miami 3, TAMU 0, 7:13 in 3Q
Bryce Fitzgerald interception comes after Zechariah Poyser injury
On the Aggies’ first play after the field goal, safety Zechariah Poyser brought down KC Concepcion and seemed to injure his shoulder in the process. He was led to the locker room while keeping his left arm straight at his side. Bryce Fitzgerald entered in his place.
The ball quickly found the freshman, as Marcel Reed threw behind Mario Craver and into Fitzgerald’s waiting hands. He returned it to the Texas A&M 20-yard line. It was his team-leading fifth interception of the year. Score: Miami 3, TAMU 0, 8:36 in 3Q
Carter Davis field goal gives Miami the lead
Miami seems to have made major adjustments in the locker room. Carson Beck started with two sharp passes to both sidelines for 35 yards, doubling his yardage amount for the game so far. Then Mark Fletcher broke out for his first big run of the day, running behind a pulling Elija Lofton for 24 yards down to the 10-yard line.
After an Aggies timeout, Malachi Toney took a direct snap off the left side for 3 yards, then Beck threw well behind Keelan Marion in the end zone, then scrambled down to the 2-yard line. That brought out Carter Davis, who finally put points on the board with a chip-shot field goal. He’s now 1 for 3 on the day. Score: Miami 3, TAMU 0, 10:34 in 3Q
Miami vs. Texas A&M is first scoreless half in CFP history
This is the first scoreless opening half in the 12-year history of the College Football Playoff and it seems destined to be the lowest scoring CFP game ever. The previous low was a 24-6 win for Alabama over Clemson in the 2018 Sugar Bowl.
The offense has been very bad for the Hurricanes early on, while mistakes have cost the Aggies. Texas A&M has outgained Miami 175-69 overall, 62-38 rushing and 113-31 passing. A&M is 3 of 8 on third down while Miami is 1 of 7. It’s been a pretty clean game with the Aggies committing two penalties for 10 yards and the ‘Canes getting one flag for 5 yards.
Texas A&M fake punt leads to Miami missed field goal
Marcel Reed missed EJ Smith on a third-down pass, setting up fourth down from the Aggies’ 45. But punter Tyler White tried to pass for the first down, overthrowing Ashton Bethel-Roman on the near sideline. Fans at Kyle Field were yelling for pass interference by Bryce Fitzgerald, but nothing was called.
Carson Beck somehow completed a third-down conversion to CJ Daniels, who had fallen to the ground trying to adjust to the pass at the Aggies’ 30-yard line. Elija Lofton then bobbled a pass as he went out of bounds, a play that was changed to a catch after replay. Beck missed an open Daniels in the end zone, leading to a 40-yard field goal try by Carter Davis that went even farther right than his first attempt. Score: Miami 0, TAMU 0, halftime
Malachi Toney punt return turns up empty
Texas A&M has outgained Miami 146-49 so far, but Malachi Toney gave the Hurricanes some life with a signature incredible punt return, zooming from one side of the field to the other taking the ball down to the Aggies’ 25-yard line. But Miami was stuffed again, with Carson Beck getting sacked for the third time and setting up a 47-yard field goal try from Carter Davis, who pushed the kick wide right. Make that 146-45 A&M in the yardage department. Score: Miami 0, TAMU 0, 3:30 in 2Q
Rueben Bain blocks field goal
The Texas A&M offense has looked sharp early on, but mistakes are costing them. On their first play of the second quarter, Marcel Reed uncorked a bomb to Mario Craver, who brought it in before losing it out of bounds for a 59-yard gain. But the Aggies couldn’t punch it in from the 11-yard line, and a low kick by Jared Zirkel from the 13-yard line was blocked by Rueben Bain and brought back for a short gain by Wesley Bissainthe.
Miami took over at its 13-yard line and once again couldn’t move the ball. Score: Miami 0, TAMU 0, 11:32 in 2Q
Keionte Scott forces a Marcel Reed fumble
With Texas A&M driving again, Marcel Reed rolled to his left and tried to throw across his body. But nickelback Keionte Scott, making his return from a foot injury, knocked the ball loose and defensive lineman Armondo Blount recovered at the Miami 32.
Malachi Toney attempted a deep ball for Elija Lofton, but the tight end couldn’t fight off the defender and the sideline. KC Concepcion muffed the punt after Carson Beck was sacked on third down, but he hopped back on it. Score: Miami 0, TAMU 0, end 1Q
Marcel Reed shows off his legs
Texas A&M started with the ball, and Mario Craver picked up 9 yards on a screen on the first play. Marcel Reed twice used his legs to pick up third-down conversions. The Hurricanes swarmed a handoff to EJ Smith on third-and-7 from the Miami 39-yard line, and with his Aggies going into the 15 mph wind, coach Mike Elko chose to go for it, but those plans changed after the left side of the offensive line committed a false start. Tyler White wisely kept his punt away from Malachi Toney, sending it out of bounds at the 8. Score: Miami 0, TAMU 0, 9:17 in 1Q
College GameDay makes a change at guest picker
Former Texas A&M quarterback and 2012 Heisman winner Johnny Manziel was originally tabbed to be the guest picker for ESPN’s “College GameDay” from Kyle Field, but a switch was made to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso. Could the change be because “Johnny Football” purportedly flashed the U at the Anthony Joshua-Jake Paul boxing match last night in Miami?
Desmond Howard and Nick Saban picked Miami to win, while Kirk Herbstreit, Pat McAfee and Caruso backed the home team.
Miami vs. Texas A&M injury updates
Miami nickelback Keionte Scott was taken off the availability report before the game. He has been out since Nov. 15 with a foot injury. Fellow defensive back Damari Brown is out, as are linebacker Malik Bryant and wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw.
Is Le’Veon Moss playing today?
Texas A&M has been without its top running back for the last six games of the regular season after Le’Veon Moss injured his ankle against Florida on Oct. 11. Moss was listed as a game-time decision on the final availability report, with Pete Thamel reporting on ESPN’s “College GameDay” that he was expected to play. He has 389 yards on 70 carries with six touchdowns this season after rushing for 765 yards and 10 TDs in 2024.
Miami vs. Texas A&M predictions
What TV channel is Miami vs. Texas A&M on today?
Miami vs. Texas A&M odds, spread for CFP game
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday, Dec. 20.
CFP games today
No. 9 Alabama rallied from an early deficit to beat No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 on Friday night. Here’s a look at today’s CFP schedule. All times Eastern:
Miami Hurricanes uniforms today vs. Texas A&M
Miami is breaking out the all-white uniforms for their CFP game today. Texas A&M will wear their standard home maroon jerseys.
College Football Playoff schedule 2025-26
Miami vs. Texas A&M history
The Hurricanes and Aggies have faced off five times before, according to Winsipedia. Miami has won one of the two matchups held in College Station, with Graig Cooper running for 128 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-23 rout in 2008. Here’s a look at the series history with the home team in bold:
What time does Miami vs. Texas A&M start?
Miami schedule 2025
Here are the results from the Hurricanes’ season.
*- ACC game; ^- College Football Playoff
Texas A&M schedule 2025
Here are the results from the Aggies’ season.
*- SEC game; ^- College Football Playoff
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami squeaks by Texas A&M to reach CFP quarters: Reaction, highlights
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
