The Revenge Tour: Stop #1 Ohio State Buckeyes

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Miami (FL) @ Ohio State Cotton Bowl QF

ConsensusPicksLine Moves 48%+10o/u 41.5-1052%

The only other meeting between the Miami Hurricanes and the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2000s was the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, which served as the BCS National Championship game for the 2002 season. 

2003 Fiesta Bowl (BCS National Championship Game) 

• Date: January 3, 2003
• Location: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
• Result: Ohio State 31, Miami 24 (Double Overtime) 

This game is widely considered one of the greatest college football games ever played and was voted the “Game of the Decade” by Sporting News. 

• Context: The undefeated No. 1 ranked Miami team was the heavy favorite, holding a 34-game winning streak and seeking back-to-back national championships. No. 2 ranked Ohio State entered the game also undefeated (13-0), as a significant underdog.
• Key Moments: The game went into the first ever double-overtime in a national championship game. It is well-remembered for a controversial pass interference penalty called against Miami in the first overtime that extended Ohio State’s drive and allowed them to tie the game.
• Outcome: Ohio State went on to win in the second overtime, securing their first national championship since 1968 and becoming the first major college football team to finish a season 14-0. 

What were the controversies surrounding the 2003 Fiesta Bowl game?

The primary controversy surrounding the 2003 Fiesta Bowl was a highly debated pass interference penalty in the first overtime period, which is considered one of the most controversial calls in college football history. 

The Controversial Call

• The Play: With Miami leading 24-17 in the first overtime, Ohio State faced a fourth-and-three from the five-yard line. Quarterback Craig Krenzel threw a pass to wide receiver Chris Gamble in the end zone that fell incomplete, seemingly ending the game and securing Miami’s national championship.
• The Late Flag: Miami players and fans began celebrating on the field when field judge Terry Porter threw a penalty flag several seconds after the play was over. The official closest to the play had initially signaled an incomplete pass.
• The Ruling: Porter called defensive pass interference on Miami cornerback Glenn Sharpe, giving Ohio State an automatic first down at the two-yard line and a fresh set of downs.
• The Aftermath: Ohio State capitalized on the new life, scored a touchdown to tie the game at 24-24, and went on to win in the second overtime, 31-24. 

Debate and Other Controversies

• Validity of the Call: Miami fans and many sportswriters heavily criticized the call, with some calling it “on the cusp of corrupt”. However, the Big 12 Conference’s supervisor of officials and the National Association of Sports Officials later stated that the call was correct and that Sharpe had committed multiple fouls on the play, though the delay was a “mechanics” issue.
• Timing of the Flag: The delay in throwing the flag, which occurred after Miami’s sideline had begun celebrating, intensified the controversy and led many to believe Porter “choked” under pressure from the predominantly Ohio State crowd.
• Pregame Accusations: Leading up to the game, Ohio State players accused Miami of celebrating too early by creating a flier that already claimed them as back-to-back champions, adding to the tension.
• Missed Calls for Ohio State: Some Ohio State fans point to uncalled penalties earlier in the game, including a potential catch by Chris Gamble that was ruled out of bounds and potential holding, which could have allowed the Buckeyes to run out the clock in regulation. 

• Flag gone wrong? A look at the most controversial calls in …May 26, 2020 — Terry Porter, the field judge from the Big 12 Conference crew, threw what is arguably the most controversial penalty f…ESPN·Bill Connelly1:17
• Ohio State football controversial play named one of best since 2000Jun 9, 2025 — The pass fell incomplete, and Miami players and staff ran onto the field in celebration. Except … Terry Porter, the f…Buckeyes Wire
• Was Ohio State’s 2003 National Championship really tainted …Jan 14, 2022 — Until Terry Porter raises a penalty flag. Miami was hit with pass interference which meant automatic first down for Oh…Reddit

When I turned against Randy Shannon

Randy Shannon did not tell his Miami Hurricanes that the Ohio State game did not matter; rather, he publicly and privately emphasized that it was a learning experience and part of a larger process of improvement for the program. After the 2010 loss to Ohio State, Shannon delivered a “tongue lashing” to his players in private, frustrated by the team’s missed assignments and turnovers, indicating he viewed the game’s outcome as significant. 

Post-Game Context

• Learning Experience: Shannon framed the 36-24 loss as a “minor setback for a major comeback” and a “big wakeup call” for the players, not an inconsequential game.
• Intense Scrutiny: The game was highly anticipated as the first meeting between the two teams since the controversial 2003 Fiesta Bowl national championship game, making it strategically and emotionally important.
• Media Downplay: While Shannon downplayed the revenge factor in the media beforehand to manage expectations and focus, his actions with the team after the loss showed how much he valued performance in such high-stakes games.
• Focus on Fundamentals: Post-game, he stressed to the media and his team that turnovers and field position were the major negatives in a game the team “could have done something that hasn’t been done here in a long time” if they had executed properly. 

• Commentary: Smacked around by No. 2 Buckeyes, Miami …Sep 11, 2010 — The spirit of Devin Hester is alive and well in Shannon’s Hurricanes. Now if they can just channel a little Warren Sap…The Palm Beach Post
• Hurricanes learn from Ohio State lossSep 18, 2010 — Some players see the loss against Ohio State as a learning experience. “We can’t forget,” redshirt sophomore linebacke…The Miami Hurricane
• Miami Football: Hurricanes Refocused and Ready for …Sep 19, 2010 — Head Coach Randy Shannon shocked the team by giving the team what equated to a tongue lashing after the game, where he…Bleacher Report

What specific comments did Randy Shannon make after the Miami-Ohio State game?

After the 

36-24 loss to Ohio State in 2010, Randy Shannon made several comments to the media, emphasizing the learning experience, field position, and turnovers as key factors in the defeat. He did not say the game was unimportant. 

Key Post-Game Quotes

• “There are a lot of positives for this game, but the negatives were the turnovers and the field position.” – This highlights his focus on specific on-field execution issues rather than dismissing the game’s importance.
• “This is a minor setback for a major comeback,” – This phrase, also used by quarterback Jacory Harris, was Shannon’s way of framing the loss as a growth opportunity within the season’s broader goals.
• He also noted that if the team had executed properly, they could have done something that “hasn’t been done here in a long time,” implying the game had significant stakes.
• When discussing the interceptions, which were a major issue, Shannon shared accountability, stating that while Jacory Harris took full credit, half the picks were due to receivers running the wrong routes. 

In a separate instance later in the season after a loss to Florida State, Shannon was more direct in his assessment, stating: “I’m not going to sugarcoat it. We got our butts whipped.”