Glendale, AZ. – The U is not back, they are here.
In a highly competitive college football semifinal, the Miami Hurricanes executed a decisive touchdown drive, overcoming adversity to secure a significant victory.
Their accomplishment earns them a home game in the upcoming championship, offering a chance to vie for the program’s sixth national title.
No. 10 Miami defeated No. 6 Ole Miss with a final score of 31-27 during the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.
The Hurricanes finished the season with a record of 13-2, while the Rebels also concluded with a 13-2 record. Miami will now advance to face the winner of the Indiana versus Oregon game in the CFP National Championship on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium. This victory marks Miami’s first Fiesta Bowl win in five appearances.
After Ole Miss took a 27-24 lead, quarterback Carson Beck led Miami on a 15-play, 75-yard drive culminating in a three-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds remaining. The final seven minutes featured four lead changes, highlighting the game’s intensity.
Beck, named Fiesta Bowl Offensive Most Valuable Player, completed 23 of 37 passes for 268 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Running back Mark Fletcher, Jr., continued an impressive postseason with 133 rushing yards on 22 carries, surpassing 1,000 yards for the season. Running back Marty Brown added 54 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Keelan Marion led with seven receptions for 114 yards, while Malachi Toney contributed five receptions for 81 yards and a notable touchdown reception.
Miami outgained Ole Miss in total yards, 459 to 398, and controlled the ball for over 41 minutes, running 88 plays and converting 11 of 19 third-down attempts.
Defensively, safety Jakobe Thomas, named Fiesta Bowl Defensive Most Valuable Player, recorded five tackles and two passes defensed. Linebacker Mohamed Toure added four tackles and a sack. Miami limited Ole Miss to a 2-for-10 performance on third downs.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss completed 23 of 37 passes for 277 yards and one touchdown. Running back Kewan Lacy carried 11 times for 103 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown run. Tight end Dae’Quan Wright caught three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. Linebacker TJ Dottery led the Rebels with 11 tackles. Defensive ends Kam Franklin and Suntarine Perkins each contributed seven tackles.
The game opened with Ole Miss taking possession, but Miami’s defense quickly forced a three-and-out. Miami then advanced the ball from their own 41-yard line, sustaining drives until a 4th-and-2 at Ole Miss’s 43. Fletcher gained three yards on a crucial run to keep the drive alive.
Beck connected with Marty Brown to secure another first down, but Franklin stopped Toney on a third-and-3 run. Carter Davis then kicked a 38-yard field goal, giving Miami an early 3-0 lead.
The Rebels experienced a three-and-out again, but two penalties interrupted Miami’s following drive, resulting in a punt that handed possession back to Ole Miss, who took over at their own 20-yard line as the first quarter concluded.
At the start of the second quarter, Lacy broke through a gap on the left side and sprinted 73 yards to the end zone, giving the Rebels a 7-3 lead. This was the first time this season that Miami’s defense had allowed a touchdown of 40 yards or more, and it marked the first occasion the Canes had trailed in a game since their regular season finale at Pittsburgh.
Beck advanced the Canes past midfield, and on third and seven from the Rebels’ 39-yard line, he connected with tight end Elijah Lofton for 15 yards. Three plays later, Toney made a remarkable play to catch a short pass and gain eight yards to the Ole Miss 13. Fletcher carried the ball three times, setting up first and goal at the two-yard line. Brown initially lost yardage on the first play but then powered his way into the end zone from four yards out. The 15-play, 75-yard drive consumed 7 minutes and 41 seconds, giving Miami a 10-7 lead.
Miami was penalized for roughing the passer, but the defense held firm afterward. Chambliss completed a 20-yard pass to wide receiver Harrison Wallace, and the Canes’ defense stabilized. Lucas Carneiro then kicked a 42-yard field goal to tie the game at 10.
Beck responded by connecting with Marion for 14 yards to reach midfield. Two plays later, he threw deep to Marion, who caught the pass and glided into the end zone for a 52-yard touchdown, giving the Canes a seven-point advantage with 2:18 remaining in the first half.
After exchanging punts, Ole Miss reached Miami’s 40-yard line with 16 seconds left. Carneiro attempted a 58-yard field goal, but the kick was short, reducing Miami’s lead to 17-13 at halftime.
In the second half, Beck’s initial drive started well with a 14-yard pass to Marion and a 19-yard run by Fletcher. However, an intentional grounding penalty on Beck stalled the drive, and Davis missed a 51-yard field goal attempt wide right.
Ole Miss then took possession, with Chambliss connecting with De’Zhaun Stribling and Cayden Lee on consecutive passes for 33 yards, progressing to Miami’s 34-yard line. However, three incomplete passes followed, and Carneiro missed a 51-yard attempt wide right, hitting the right upright.
Beck then scrambled for a first down, and later gained 11 yards on a running Play to set up fourth and two at the Rebels’ 31. Brown secured the first down with a nine-yard run. A few plays later, Franklin tipped Beck’s pass at the line of scrimmage, resulting in an interception by safety Kapena Gushiken, giving Ole Miss possession at their own 15-yard line. Chambliss then led the Rebels down the field to the Miami 37, where Carneiro made a 54-yard field goal, narrowing the deficit to a point.
Fletcher started the next drive with a 15-yard rush, followed by Toney’s 12-yard catch-and-run into Rebels territory. However, Perkins sacked Beck on consecutive plays, and Ole Miss regained possession at their 10-yard line. Chambliss connected with Wright for 19 yards, and then on third and nine from the Miami 47, he threw an accurate pass to Lee for 11 yards. A targeting penalty on Xavier Lucas moved the ball to the 20-yard line, followed by a personal foul on defensive tackle David Blay, which placed the ball at the eight-yard line. Miami’s defense held firm, and Carneiro kicked a 21-yard field goal, giving Ole Miss a 19-17 lead with seven minutes remaining.
The Canes responded with an pass interference penalty, advancing the ball past midfield. Beck completed an eight-yard pass to CJ Daniels, and Fletcher’s 17-yard run brought Miami to the 35. Two plays later, Beck threw a quick out to Toney, who evaded defenders and scored a 36-yard touchdown, re-establishing a 24-19 lead for Miami.
Chambliss connected with Wright for 21 yards and was aided by a pass interference call, moving the ball to Miami’s 45. He then scrambled for 19 yards, and two plays later, found Wright in the end zone for 24 yards. The Rebels converted a two-point attempt, taking a 27-24 lead with 3:13 remaining.
The Rebels were penalized for a face mask call to facilitate Miami’s third-down conversion and advance the ball past midfield. On third and six from the 42-yard line, Beck connected with Daniels for a seven-yard gain. Three plays later, Beck found Marion across the middle for 17 yards and then completed another pass to him for 11 yards, bringing the ball down to the eight-yard line. The Rebels called a timeout with 31 seconds remaining. Brown then rushed for five yards, prompting the Canes to call their second timeout.
Beck indeed dropped back, assessed the field, and observed an opening on the left side. He took the opportunity and ran into the end zone, completing a 15-play, 75-yard drive. The score was now 31-27 in favor of Miami with only 18 seconds left on the clock.
Chambliss completed two long passes to advance the ball to the Canes’ 35-yard line, but his final throw in the end zone was incomplete.
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