[3] By virtue of their victory, Ohio State won its first consensus national title since 1968 and became the first team in college football history to finish a season with a 14-0 record.

In the midst of a resurgence after a period of turmoil in the 1990s, Miami had won the previous season's national championship in dominant[4] fashion and entered the Fiesta Bowl with a 34-game win streak.

[5] The two teams represented a contrast of styles: Ohio State played an older variation of power football that emphasized running and dominant defense, while Miami used the speed of their skill position players to overwhelm opponents.

Following the game, controversy arose surrounding the validity of a crucial pass interference penalty during the first overtime period, without which a Hurricanes victory would have resulted.

Considering the differing courses of the two programs, the game and its controversial ending have become known as pivotal moments in the greater history of American college football.

[6][7] Ohio State had started the season ranked #13 after losing to South Carolina in the Outback Bowl the previous year.

It was head coach Jim Tressel's second year with the team, and he had the experienced Buckeyes looking to win the Big Ten title.

Freshman star Maurice Clarett highlighted their elite rushing attack, while quarterback Craig Krenzel managed the games well by throwing to talented wideouts Michael Jenkins and Chris Gamble.

Even though they were undefeated, the Buckeyes were heading into the Fiesta Bowl as an 11.5 point underdog, but they had strong motivation from teams leaders like 3x All-American safety Mike Doss.

[9] Their offensive line had also produced 3 straight 1,000 yard seasons by 3 different running backs, and were leading the nation in fewest sacks allowed.

The Hurricanes also trailed a Rutgers team that finished 1-11 going into the fourth quarter by a score of 17-14, and would have been losing 24-8 if they ironically hadn't been beneficiaries of a controversial pass interference call that wiped out a 100 yard interception return.

The Miami Hurricanes won the coin toss for first possession options and elected to defer their choice until the 2nd half kickoff.

Miami's drive started out slowly with a 1-yard loss on a run by McGahee, but the next play saw Dorsey throw a 28-yard first down pass to Kellen Winslow, Jr. Three plays later, Dorsey sidestepped blitzing safety Donnie Nickey and threw to Parrish for a 25-yard touchdown to put Miami up 7-0 (after Todd Sievers's extra point) with 4:09 left in the first quarter.

On the first play from scrimmage, Buckeye quarterback Craig Krenzel threw an interception to Miami safety Sean Taylor.

After a quick first down at the end of the 1st quarter the Ohio State drive stalled as Maurice Clarett was tackled for no gain, and then a 7-yard loss, on the next two plays.

Ohio State responded after the mental error when cornerback Dustin Fox intercepted Ken Dorsey's pass, which was intended for Parrish, at the Miami 49 and returned it 12 yards.

The Hurricanes were called for an illegal formation penalty for 5 yards, but Dorsey quickly rebounded as he completed a 14-yard pass to Ethenic Sands for a Miami 1st down.

Krenzel ran for 4 yards making it 3rd and 6, and then took the ball himself once more for a 3-yard gain on the final play of the 3rd quarter with the score 17–14 in favor of the Buckeyes.

However, TV replays also indicate that Ohio State might not have snapped the ball before the play clock expired, and possibly should have been called for delay of game, which would have turned the third and six into 3rd and 11.

The 40 yard attempt was successful, however, and tied the score at 17 with no time remaining in regulation play, forcing the game into overtime.

Krenzel then handed off the ball to Maurice Clarett for a 5-yard rushing touchdown putting Ohio State up 31–24 after a successful Nugent PAT.

Ken Dorsey threw a pass as he was being hit by linebacker Cie Grant; it was incomplete, ending the game with Ohio State winning the BCS National Championship 31–24.

"[17] The play had proceeded thusly: at the snap, Sharpe jammed Gamble at the line of scrimmage[16] as he ran a fade route.

In a retrospective piece, Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports observed, "It appears that Miami's Glenn Sharpe did hold Chris Gamble off the line, but that would make the call even more ridiculous.

"[19] Le Batard called the penalty "terribly late," continuing to note, "It came so long after the end zone contact being alleged that UM players were dancing at midfield before most of them were even aware there was a flag on the field."

"[16] Dave Parry, then the Big Ten Conference supervisor of officials, also noted the camera angle's influence on viewer perception: "The timing of the flag might have looked not good.

Despite volcanic eruptions from the media, particularly ABC's Dan Fouts, who set the fire by immediately ripping the call Porter got it right.

When Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel's pass fell incomplete, Porter didn't throw the flag immediately.

[20] In 2007, Porter's call was selected by Referee Magazine as one of the 18 best calls in sports history,[25] and the penalty was also the focus of the ESPN Show The Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame... in an episode titled "The Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame the Referees for Miami losing the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.

Williams, former wide receiver Santana Moss, former tackle Bryant McKinnie, and assistant coach Don Soldinger[23] each noted that the initial appearance of victory took Miami out of the competitive mindset, shifting game momentum and forcing them to refocus.