As the Miami Hurricanes continue to prepare for the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals and face the Ohio State Buckeyes, edge rushing star Akheem Mesidor is only looking to move up.
The Miami Hurricanes' defense was the biggest reason for the ugly victory against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first round of the College Football Playoffs, with a final score of 10-3. They got tremendous contributions from numerous players, especially cornerback Keionte Scott, who finished with 10 total tackles, five solos and five assists, two sacks, and three tackles for loss in his first game back from a lower extremity injury.
However, it was also the big guys lined up at the line of scrimmage that took away Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed's ability to use his legs and forced him to beat them as a passer.
Granted, the 21-year-old sparked some magic on the final drive of the game, until an interception from safety freshman Bryce Fitzgerald sealed the deal.
The Hurricanes' star edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor proved to be "threats." They combined for 10 total tackles, five solos and five assists, 4.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, and a blocked field goal. The defensive duo has been marvelous throughout the year, both projected to be high first-round draft selections in the upcoming NFL draft.
Bain Jr. has received more national attention, but Mesidor has been a nightmare for quarterbacks as well. In the first round against the Aggies, the redshirt senior recorded 11 quarterback pressures, which is the second-most ever in the College Football Playoffs.
The Canadian native revealed his motivation behind the recent success was to move forward without looking back.
"I think it's my mentality," he said. "I left Ottawa, I love Ottawa, but I refused to go back. I needed to become the best player I can in order to maximize everything that was given to me. This facility, the coaches, the people that would surround me. You have all these resources, so you might as well maximize and get the most out of it."
Mesidor has an opportunity to continue shining on the biggest stages of college football, as the Hurricanes are set to face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31st, at Arlington, Texas, 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN. They already managed to pull an upset in a more hostile environment and the 24-year-old is "ready" to attack the challenge that lies ahead.
This matchup could decide whether or not the Hurricanes have what it takes to truly compete for a National Championship. It's going to be another gruesome battle, adding another chapter to a historic rivalry.
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