Rueben Bain Jr. Wasted little time announcing his presence. The sophomore defensive end opened the game with three tackles in the first half, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack, consistently collapsing the pocket and forcing Ohio State to account for him on every snap. His early production gave Miami a defensive anchor and injected energy into a group intent on dictating terms rather than reacting.
Bain’s impact went beyond the stat line. He played fast, finished plays, and helped Miami settle into the physical rhythm required on a stage like this. Against a talented offensive line, his ability to win early downs allowed the Hurricanes to stay aggressive and confident defensively, setting a tone that carried through the unit.
Ahead of the game, Bain framed the moment simply. “It means a lot,” he said of playing in the Cotton Bowl. “Another opportunity to come out and play football again.”
That perspective carried into Miami’s preparation after its previous outing. “One is just finishing,” Bain said. “We did finish, but first to last. We got to communicate better, trust in one another, and finish what we say. Trust in each other that we get the job done.”
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Facing the Ohio State Buckeyes brought no added bravado. “For us, we’re doing our best job,” Bain said. “We’ll be in good shape.”
There was competition, too, the healthy kind. Bain acknowledged the daily push with teammate Akeem Mesidor. “Every day we play, we always try to compete,” he said. “Who can make the most plays, the big plays.”
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For a Miami native, the setting carried familiarity, but the mindset remained constant. “At the end of the day, we are trying to play football to our best ability,” Bain said. “Flying around, no matter who you are playing.”
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