I’m sure the image on the post was a dead giveaway but the play of the year for the Miami Hurricanes in 2025 was the Keionte Scott pick six against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. I covered the play in the Film
Review of Miami’s 24-14 win over the Buckeyes on New Year’s Eve in ‘25, but we should go into greater detail.
Scott, a transfer portal addition for Miami this season, played JUCO football at Snow College from 2020-2021 before transferring to Auburn for the 2022-2024 seasons. Scott actually intended to play for the Houston Cougars this season and was a late addition to the ‘Canes.
From his nickel position, Scott played a hybrid safety, linebacker, cornerback type of role in Corey Hetherman’s multiple defense. Scott played the ultimate havoc role for the ‘Canes having logged 13 TFL’s, five sacks, two pick 6’s, two forced fumbles, and five PBU’s. He could’ve returned punts for Miami, a role he played at Auburn where he even returned one for a TD, but Malachi Toney locked that role down for The U.
Now for the play of the year: With Miami up 7-0 in the 2nd quarter of the Cotton Bowl against OSU, Julian Sayin sent his TE in motion. The QB turned and threw the screen pass as Scott split two blockers, jumped in front of the throw, and returned the interception 72-yards for a touchdown. The score put Miami up 14-0 going into halftime over the double-digit favorite Buckeyes in Texas.
Above– The first thing that you notice on the play is Scott is very aware of the TE motioning over, and you’re 100% sure this is something Scott saw on film and was keyed off to pre-snap. I’m not sure what else OSU runs out of that formation and motion but you can imagine not very much from Scott’s reaction both pre and post snap.
Above- Jeremiah Smith misses his block on Scott, and the TE should be blocking the ‘most dangerous man’ to the throw but instead he’s blocking where he should on paper and not in real life. That’s the issue with scripting every single rep in practice, do you see enough organic happenings to make real-time adjustments or just the ‘perfect reps’ of the play?
I want to add to the clip that Rueben Bain’s pressure also rushes Sayin and he short-arms the throw a little.
Above– The TE is clueless to what has happened and is turned to block no one. Bain is in Sayin’s face and makes contact with the follow through. Scott has slipped Smith and jumped the route for a clear pick-6.
I hope y’all enjoy rewatching this clip. I was outside watching the game on a projector out by the fire pit in my backyard. My phone blew up as Scott was wagging his tongue on his way into the end zone. It was a great play that pushed Miami into the semifinals and eventually into the CFB Playoff National Championship Game.
