Cote: Defense lifts Canes past A&M in CFP, and UM ‘just getting started’ | Opinion
The Miami Hurricanes’ season survived its first experience in the College Football Playoff on Saturday -- at a time of year when mere survival is plenty. This one wasn’t pretty, but it was glorious in its way.
The No. 10-ranked Canes won at No. 7 Texas A&M, 10-3, in the playoff’s first round, and it was UM’s biggest postseason victory since the program’s fifth and last national championship was won to end the 2001 season.
Miami advances now to face No. 2 Ohio State in the CFP quarterfinals on Dec. 31, back to the same state to play in the Cotton Bowl. The Buckeyes will be a big favorite (opening at 9 1/2 points). No matter. Celebrate now. It’s been almost a quarter-century since this storied program has won a game this large.
“This means everything. This is awesome. Next step, right? Validating what we came here to do,” said Canes coach Mario Cristobal afterward, in the bedlam of the field. “The Miami Hurricanes are just getting started.”
Former UM superstar turned sideline cheerleader Michael Irvin swept past and kissed the coach on the left cheek as he spoke.
“That was disgusting,” Cristobal kidded later, grinning. “He’s got a lot of energy, man. That guy means so much to the program. God bless him. Glad he’s here.”
UM finished 5-7 in Cristobal’s first season back at his alma mater, 7-6 in his second, 10-3 last year, and now is 11-2 and in the playoff quarters. Progress. Validation.
“It’s important first to be in the playoffs,” Cristobal said. “Then to go and win at a place like this, 100-thousand-plus fans. We needed that. We wanted to come here. What does it mean? Continued progress. That’s all that matters now: 1-0.”
Miami’s defense won this game, sealed by an end-zone interception by Bryce Fitzgerald, his second of the game.
Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn in the buildup to the game had said Canes defensive star Reuben Bain would not “be a threat that we need to worry about too much.”
Uh oh. Bain had Zuhn’s image on the main screen of his cell phone, a constant reminder.
“We don’t take kindly to disrespect,” said Bain. “Some people said some things they shouldn’t have said. Writing check they can’t cash.”
“Defense was off the charts the entire day,” said Cristobal. “We were up and down on offense.”
But it was a pair of offensive stars who stood up late.
Freshman Malachi Toney’s 11-yard scoring play produced the game’s only touchdown in the final minutes. It came soon after his lost fumble near midfield left him inconsolable on the sideline.
“I know the guys were depending on me. I can’t stay down forever,” Toney said. “Best thing you can ask for. You fumble and coach trusts you to give you the ball with the game on the line.”
Said Cristobal: “You saw the entire team go right to him after the fumble. He’s a lot of the reason we’re here today is his playmaking ability.”
Running back Mark Fletcher’s 56-yard run help set up Toney’s winning score. Fletcher’s mom Linda was at the game. His father passed away unexpectedly last season. Saturday he had a career-high 172 yards rushing.
“Rough year for him. He never flinched,” Cristobal said. “He’s the heart and soul of our team.”
Said Fletcher: “I was at the lowest point in my life and this university helped bring me back.”
Miami ended the scoreless tie on a 21-yard field goal with 10:34 left in the third quarter. Canes had more yards in that drive than in the entire first half, but had to settle for 3-0 on Carter Davis.
Canes were thinking 10-0 soon after, when Fitzgerald’s first interception and 36-yard return set Miami up at the Aggies’ 20. But that drive also fizzled, Davis entered for a 35-yad field try, but saw his kick boink off the left upright -- his third miss of the day.
Texas A&M would make it 3-3 on their own 35-yard kick with 8:03 left in regulation.
Miami survived Toney’s lost fumble near midfield after that, thanks again to UM’s defense.
The 0-0 first half was the first of those in the 12-year history of the CFP era.
It wasn’t for the lack of scoring chances either blown or snuffed by strong defense.
A&M had a first down at Miami’s 30 but lost a fumble.
Aggies had a 59-yard completion and a first down at UM’s 11, but settled for a short field goal try that Reuben Bain blocked.
Canes’ Toney had a 55-yard punt return to the A&M 24, but UM settled for a 47-yard field goal try that sailed wide right.
After Aggies threw incomplete on a fake punt, Miami drove to the A&M 22, stalled, and settled for a 40-yard field goal attempt that missed right by about a quarter-mile. Gusty wind was a factor, but no excuse for that level of miss.
First score wins?
Both defenses were dominating, but the Hurricanes had the most to figure out offensively after only 69 net yards gained in the first half, a dubious CFP-era record.
Texas A&M loves to brag about its “12th Man,” as if College Station invented or perfected loud crowds. The branding is all over the stadium, all over town. No. 12 jerseys are the best sellers. Coach Mike Elko wore a “Home of the 12th Man” hoodie on the sideline.
Miami found 11 men plenty on Saturday. Didn’t need a 12th to lift it. The 11 it had on the field -- especially on defense -- proved quite enough.
Saturday marked UM’s biggest win since the 2001 championship but biggest postseason game since the 2002 season ended in the Fiesta Bowl, the national championship game.
UM would lose 31-24 in double-overtime to Ohio State.
Revenge, 22 years later?
Ohio State is favored over Miami on New Year’s Eve. So was Texas A&M on Saturday.
Not so sure I’d be quick to count out the Canes from here, or Cristobal when he said, “The Miami Hurricanes are just getting started.”
This story was originally published December 20, 2025 at 4:05 PM.
