The Miami Hurricanes just erased 23 years of pain in one night.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis watched it happen and couldn't contain himself.
And Ron DeSantis cranked up the hype after Miami finally got revenge on Ohio State.
Miami delivered the revenge Hurricanes fans waited 23 years to see
Miami beat Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Eve to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
The win was more than just another playoff victory for Hurricanes fans.
It was revenge for one of the most controversial losses in college football history.
In the 2003 Fiesta Bowl following the 2002 season, Miami lost to Ohio State 31-24 in double overtime after a controversial pass interference call gave the Buckeyes new life.
Miami entered that game with a 34-game winning streak and was the defending national champion.
The Hurricanes were 11.5-point favorites and looked like they were about to win back-to-back national titles.
https://twitter.com/RonDeSantis/status/2006409361766109570?s=20
Then came the flag that changed everything.
Ohio State faced fourth-and-3 from Miami's 5-yard line in the first overtime with the Hurricanes leading 24-17.
Buckeyes quarterback Craig Krenzel threw an incomplete pass to the end zone.
Miami players started celebrating what they thought was a national championship.
But official Terry Porter threw a flag several seconds after the incompletion for pass interference.
The late flag gave Ohio State new life and they eventually won in double overtime.
That loss haunted Miami for more than two decades.
The Hurricanes haven't reached a national championship game since.
DeSantis has been Miami's biggest cheerleader all season
Governor DeSantis jumped on X after Miami's Cotton Bowl victory to remind everyone this was the biggest game for Miami in over 20 years.
"Biggest game for The U since the pass interference call against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl more than 20 years ago," DeSantis wrote.¹
"Any questions about whether Miami should have made the playoffs have been put to rest — they are playing as well as anyone," DeSantis added.¹
https://twitter.com/RonDeSantis/status/2007057190268645532?s=20
DeSantis has been hyping up the Hurricanes all season long.
Back in October, he officially declared Miami the state champions after they beat four Florida schools in the first six weeks.
"By the power vested in me, I hereby officially declare the Miami Hurricanes the state champions after they beat four other Florida schools in the first six weeks of the season (and also beat Notre Dame to boot)," DeSantis said.²
When Miami's College Football Playoff spot was in doubt, DeSantis weighed in on that too.
The Governor argued that Miami's head-to-head win over Notre Dame should matter when both teams had identical 10-2 records.
https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1975310671375179984?s=20
"If ND gets in and Miami doesn't, it will further erode the importance of the regular season," DeSantis stated.³
"I'm OK with both getting in, but identical records should mean the head-to-head is the tiebreaker if you have to choose between them," DeSantis explained.³
Miami ended up making the playoff as the final at-large selection.
The Hurricanes proved the committee right by beating No. 7 Texas A&M on the road in the first round before taking down defending champion Ohio State.
Miami's defense dominated Ohio State just like 2002 Hurricanes would have
Miami's run through the playoff has been powered by a dominant defensive line.
The Hurricanes held Texas A&M to seven points and Ohio State to 14 points.
The Hurricanes totaled seven sacks in both games, led by standout defensive ends Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor.
Defensive back Keionte Scott delivered the knockout punch against Ohio State with a 72-yard interception return for touchdown that gave Miami a 14-0 lead.
Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. has carried the offense with 172 rushing yards against Texas A&M and 90 yards against the Buckeyes.
Quarterback Carson Beck hasn't been spectacular but he's done exactly what Miami needs – avoid turnovers and let the defense win games.
https://twitter.com/RonDeSantis/status/2007057190268645532?s=20
Miami now faces No. 6 Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl semifinals on January 8 in Glendale, Arizona.
The Hurricanes are 3-point favorites over the Rebels.
This is Miami's best shot at reaching the national championship game since 2002.
Back then, the Hurricanes had a roster loaded with future NFL stars like Willis McGahee, Andre Johnson, Kellen Winslow Jr., Jonathan Vilma, and Sean Taylor.
That team never got a fair shot at a second straight title because of one bad call.
Now Miami has a chance to finish what that team started.
DeSantis will be watching and cheering every step of the way for The U to bring a national championship back to Florida.
¹ Ron DeSantis, X post, January 2, 2026.
² Ron DeSantis, X post, October 6, 2025.
³ Ron DeSantis, X post, November 30, 2025.
