Miami edges Texas A&M in rock fight as Malachi Toney's late TD sends 'Canes to Cotton Bowl vs. Ohio State

Prior to Saturday, there had never been a College Football Playoff game to end with a scoreless first half. No kicker had ever missed three field goals in the same game. No team had ever won a playoff game while scoring 10 or fewer points. 

In a bizarre matchup in College Station, all of those precedents fell. The wind played a major role in the inconsistency, including pushing two field goals from Miami outside the uprights. It also prevented either passing game from getting fully comfortable. 

It's rare that we see college football games played in December on college campuses. One of the greatest gifts of the expanded playoff? Expect more weather weirdness as the years go on. 

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed has been one of the most productive passers in the SEC this season, but his mistakes against Miami proved fatal. The sophomore threw a pair of interceptions, including one in the end zone on the final drive that ended the game. There was no window available for the throw; it was simply a poorly advised decision. 

Earlier in the game, Reed also had a fumble on a strip-sack where he simply didn't recognize how fast defensive back Keionte Scott would close on him. Between South Carolina, Texas and Miami, Reed threw six interceptions in his final three games against FBS opponents. 

Reed showed enough for the Aggies that he will be the signal-caller heading into next season, but he has serious work to do in the film room to prevent these mistakes. 

Miami defensive end Rueben Bain was one of the most electric playmakers in college football in September. In the weeks since, he has been less effective, finishing with only 4.5 sacks on the season. Against Texas A&M, he woke back up. 

Bain posted three sacks and four tackles for loss in one of the best campaigns of his career. The All-American won every battle the Aggies threw his way, and proved that he has another gear heading into the postseason. If Bain is functioning at this level, it will give the Hurricanes' defense a chance to hang with Ohio State's elite offense. 

4Q: Miami 10, Texas A&M 3

Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney made a critical mistake after fumbling near midfield. Only minutes later, the freshman turned the game around. Toney took a sweep 11 yards around the corner of the Texas A&M defense for a go-ahead touchdown with only 1:44 remaining. The score was the first touchdown of the game and could send the Hurricanes to the next round. 

Miami running back Mark Fletcher has been sidelined by offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, but he refuses to be forgotten. On the first play of the drive, Fletcher exploded through the line for a 56-yard run deep into opposing territory. Fletcher is up to 15 carries for 167 yards as the Hurricanes are into field goal range. 

Miami managed to sack Marcel Reed for a seventh time as Rueben Bain picked up his third sack of the day. The Hurricanes have to go the length of the field, but Miami has the ball with 4:02 remaining and a chance to go win the game. 

Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney has been electric this season, but he just made a critical mistake. After a reception, he tried to fight for extra yards, but Texas A&M safety Dalton Brooks forced the ball out for a turnover. The Aggies have the ball on the edge of field goal range. 

4Q: Texas A&M 3, Miami 3

It took more than three quarters, but Texas A&M finally put together its first scoring drive to set up a 35-yard field goal from Randy Bond. The Aggies went 16 plays with big passes from Marcel Reed to Ashton Bethel-Roman and Mario Craver to finally get on the board. 

With 8:03 remaining, the game is tied up at Kyle Field with a trip to the Cotton Bowl on the line. 

End 3Q: Miami 3, Texas A&M 0

Miami holds a narrow advantage against Texas A&M heading into the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. The Hurricanes have connected on only one of four makeable field goals, but the chip shot has been enough to hold the lead against the struggling Aggies. 

Texas A&M has moved the ball more consistently, but the Aggies have been nonfactors in scoring position because of major mistakes. Quarterback Marcel Reed has turned the ball over twice, including a strip-sack fumble deep in Miami territory. The Aggies also had a field goal blocked from 26 yards out. 

Miami only has two drives of longer than six plays. One of them ended in a nine-play, 72-yard drive to set up the lone field goal of the day. The other featured another missed field goal from the Hurricanes to end the first half. Quarterback Carson Beck has only 80 yards on 12-of-18 passing. 

Reed has 125 yards passing, including a 59-yard bomb to Mario Craver. However, the Aggies are down to 2.7 yards per carry after surrendering a sack to Rueben Bain to end the third quarter. 

Texas A&M running back Le'Veon Moss limped off the field in obvious pain after a tackle in the third quarter. Moss missed half the season after undergoing surgery on his ankle, and made his first appearance against Miami. However, he smashed his helmet against the bench in frustration. 

Moss was later seen heading to the locker room with a towel over his head. 

Miami had to settle for yet another field goal. Astonishingly, a third field goal missed. This time, Miami doinked a field goal off the left crossbar and the game remains only a 3-0 advantage. What a bizarre games it's been. 

Miami safety Zechariah Poyser needed help getting off the field and went to the locker room. The Jacksonville State transfer posted 47 tackles and six passes defended for the Hurricanes this season in 12 games. 

However, true freshman Bryce Fitzgerald came into the game and immediately picked off Marcel Reed for a game-changing play. The Hurricanes again have the ball in scoring position. 

3Q: Miami 3, Texas A&M 0

There have been four field goal attempts at Kyle Field. Finally, early in the third quarter, one went through the uprights. Miami was forced to settle for a 21-yard attempt after stalling in the red zone, but it was enough to break the deadlock. 

After a miserable first half, Miami has come out guns blazing. Carson Beck connected on passes of 15 and 20 yards to set up a 24-yard run from Mark Fletcher deep into Texas A&M territory. This is the best chance Miami has to score all day. 

HALF: Texas A&M 0, Miami 0

Texas A&M and Miami are knotted up in a scoreless deadlock after an ugly first half at Kyle Field in the College Football Playoff. The game is the first scoreless half in CFP history, shattering the previous low of 10 first-half points by Alabama and Michigan State in 2015. 

The wind has played a major role in the matchup, pushing two makeable Miami field goals out of range. Additionally, the downfield passing game has been essentially a non-factor as Miami quarterback Carson Beck has only 31 total yards on 8 of 12 completions. 

Texas A&M wide receiver Mario Craver has the one big downfield completion of the game after making an adjustment on a 59-yard catch. The Aggies are nearly tripling Miami in yardage because of his efforts, 175-69. However, a blocked field goal and fumble deep in Miami territory have kept the game scoreless. 

Both defenses have played well. Miami cornerback Keionte Scott has made his presence felt in his first return to action since Nov. 15, with two tackles for loss and a sack. Texas A&M also got to Beck twice. However, the scoreless result says much more about the state of both offenses. 

Miami gets the ball to start the second half. 

Miami had fantastic field position after their lengthy punt return from Malachi Toney, but a sack on Carson Beck set up a 47-yarder by Carter Davis. However, the wind pushed the field goal away and kept the game scoreless late in the first half. It's been a windy, ugly day. 

Miami star Malachi Toney lined up for a punt return deep in their own territory, but Toney changed the game with a sensational return. Toney broke through 55 yards down to the Texas A&M 25-yard line to give the Hurricanes their best chance at points all afternoon. 

Texas A&M drove all the way within the 10-yard line, but stunningly the kick was blocked at the line of scrimmage. The matchup remains scoreless deep into the second quarter. 

Texas A&M announced that Mario Craver would be coming back to College Station in 2026 on a new contract. With his early performance, Craver is showing just why he's viewed as a breakout star in college football this year. 

Craver came down with a massive 59-yard reception after an impressive adjustment in the wind to put the Aggies in prime scoring position. 

End 1Q: Texas A&M 0, Miami 0

Texas A&M and Miami remain scoreless at the end of the first quarter after an inconsistent offensive period. Neither team averaged more than 3.7 yards per play or accumulated more than 100 yards. 

The Aggies twice drove into Miami territory, but mistakes kept them off the scoreboard. A false start forced them to punt from the 43-yard line, and a fumble by Marcel Reed ended another promising drive. Reed has 41 yards passing and 28 yards rushing. 

But for Texas A&M's struggles, Miami has been far more inconsistent offensively. The Hurricanes have only five passing yards in the first quarter and 28 total yards. Miami has tried to use star freshman Malachi Toney as a passer, rusher and receiver, but none have found much success. 

Miami is set to get the ball back after forcing another three-and-out on the Aggies' offense. Star defensive back Keionte Scott has made his presence felt, already posting four tackles, two tackles for loss and a strip sack in his first action since Nov. 15. 

Texas A&M was driving down the field deep into Miami territory, but Hurricanes defensive back Keionte Scott made his presence felt during his return to action. Scott got to Marcel Reed and nudged the ball out before a pass attempt, leading to a recovered fumble for Miami. 

Texas A&M put together a 12-play drive and had second-and-four within Miami territory. However, a negative passing play and false start ultimately forced the Aggies to punt from the Miami 43-yard line. After connecting for a nine-yard completion to Mario Craver on the first play, Marcel Reed had five attempts for four total yards. 

Miami starts backed up deep in its own territory from the 8-yard line. 

Aggies running back Le'Veon Moss took his first carry since Oct. 11 on the first drive of the game, converting a third-and-one for a first down. Texas A&M has leaned on Moss and wide receiver Mario Craver early

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko told the ESPN broadcast that running back Le'Veon Moss would attempt to make his return for the first time since Oct. 11. The senior has been dealing with an ankle injury that's held him back. 

When Moss is in the lineup, the Aggies are a more complete rushing attack. Moss had 81 yards and three touchdowns in an upset victory on the road against Notre Dame, and averaged 5.6 yards per attempt on the season before his injury. 

Texas A&M and Miami boast arguably the best trench play of any combination of teams in the College Football Playoff. Miami tackle Francis Mauiga earned consensus All-America honors, while Texas A&M's Trey Zuhn earned honors from various outlets. Edge rushers Rueben Bain (Miami) and Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) also each reached consensus All-America status. 

Amazingly, neither Texas A&M or Miami played a single other consensus All-American along the lines during their runs to the College Football Playoff. It will be fascinating to see how each unit responds to fellow elite level talent. 

Texas A&M running back Le'Veon Moss has been upgraded to a game-time decision for the first-round playoff game. Moss, the Aggies' top running back, has been limited to only six games and has not played against Florida on Oct. 11. 

For Miami, three players remain out against Texas A&M: Defensive back Damari Brown, linebacker Malik Bryant and wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw. However, top cornerback Keionte Scott will make his return for the first time since Nov. 15. 

Few opposing coaches know Texas A&M's Kyle Field as well as Nick Saban. The legendary former Crimson Tide boss did battle with the Aggies six times in College Station with an impressive 5-1 record in those meetings. 

Apparently, one aspect of Texas A&M's home-field advantage stood out to Saban. During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Saban claimed that Texas A&M pipes artificial noise into Kyle Field during games. 

Former Alabama coach Nick Saban claims Texas A&M pipes in crowd noise during home games at Kyle Field

Will Backus

Miami star cornerback Keionte Scott, who has been out since Nov. 15 due to injury, will return to action and play today vs. Texas A&M, sources tell CBS Sports. A big lift for Miami heading into this CFP matchup. PFF has him with the nation's fourth-highest grade among corners.

The College Football Playoff showdown is crucial for both teams. For Miami, the Hurricanes trying to justify their inclusion in the field. For Texas A&M, the Aggies are looking to avoid the ultimate letdown after what was one of the most magical seasons in program history. 

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Richard Johnson

The matchup between Texas A&M and Miami is a true heavyweight battle. Both teams have the upside to win the national championship if things break right, and the first round will be an important stress test. Miami quarterback Carson Beck has the experience edge, but Texas A&M's offense has an explosive component that will prove to be the difference in College Station. Pick: Texas A&M -3.5

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Shehan Jeyarajah