Former Miami Hurricanes CB Keionte Scott explains why he turned to the Ohio State sideline during pick six in the Cotton Bowl
The former Miami star defender had some fun at Ohio State’s expense during the game’s biggest moment.
The Miami Hurricanes delivered one of the more shocking results of the college football season last year, dethroning the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals 24-14 at the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
The Hurricanes took the lead early in the second quarter and never trailed. Despite rallying from a 14-0 deficit in the second half, the Buckeyes never could quite get over the hump, and Miami put the game away with under a minute to play.
The play of the game without question came with Miami leading 7-0 early in the second quarter. After Julian Sayin connected with Jeremiah Smith for a huge 60-yard gain, Ohio State tried a tunnel screen to Brandon Innis, but Miami CB Keionte Scott jumped the route and took it 68 yards for a game-changing touchdown.
Aside from the game-changing nature of the play, Scott’s return brought about some questions itself. He hit a pose in the end zone, which pretty clearly looked to be the statue of the Jim Thorpe Award Trophy given to the nation’s best defensive back, something Scott did not win despite being a candidate.
But many fans noticed Scott turning his attention to the Ohio State sideline on his way to the end zone. Scott addressed that recently when he joined the “Caps Off Podcast” and explained what happened when he started running the other way with the football.
Miami CB Keionte Scott said he stuck his tongue out at an Ohio State alumnus on the sideline during interception return in Cotton Bowl
“I’m not going to lie, I blacked out,” Scott said. “All that was just straight flow state, like, I don’t even know what’s going on. I remember when I turned, I’m thinking like, oh yeah, it’s on now. Because all throughout that week, I’m like, I didn’t get the (Jim Thorpe) award, but I want the award. It’s like, I want to prove that. So, all throughout the week, I’m like, if I get a chance, I’m hitting it (Thorpe Award trophy pose).
“So, I pick it off, and I’m looking at the sideline. I just see one of their alumni. I don’t even know who I was looking at. I don’t remember. I’m looking at him dead in his eyes, and he’s looking at me, and I just stick my tongue out. I’m just thinking like, dumb ass. Bro, I was just like, yeah, it’s on.”
So, at least according to Scott, it wasn’t a current player, and it wasn’t Ryan Day or a member of his coaching staff. And it certainly wasn’t star WR Jeremiah Smith, who missed the block that sprung the big play and was chasing Scott down the field.
I guess we’ll never know who that mysterious target in scarlet and gray was, nor will Ohio State have the chance to get payback against Scott, as he’s now in Tampa Bay after getting drafted in the fourth round by the Bucs in April. But if the Buckeyes get another shot against the Hurricanes in the CFP this upcoming season, that play might be on loop inside the Ohio State facilities for the days leading up to it.