Miami Advances to National Championship After Thrilling Fiesta Bowl Win

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Carson Beck found the end zone with a 3-yard touchdown run, clinching a 31-27 victory for Miami over the University of Mississippi in a nail-biting College Football Playoff semifinal on Thursday night. The Hurricanes will now head home, aiming for their first national championship since 2001.

The No. 10 Hurricanes (13-2) faced a tough challenge from the No. 6 Rebels (13-2). Despite a strong defense throughout most of the game, the Hurricanes faltered in the fourth quarter, trailing 27-24 after Trinidad Chambliss connected with Dequan Wright for a 24-yard touchdown pass with just over three minutes remaining.

Beck, who previously won a national title as a backup at the University of Georgia, remained composed under pressure, effectively leading the team and giving them a shot at securing the title at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19th. He holds an impressive 37-5 record as a starter, reinforced by his time at Georgia.

Even without their head coach, who departed for LSU, Ole Miss maintained their drive. It appeared that Lane Kiffin’s exit only fueled their determination, helping the Rebels achieve their best season ever, making their debut in a national championship game.

Despite struggling offensively, Ole Miss managed to take a 19-17 lead thanks to Lucas Carneiro’s fourth field goal, a 21-yarder. Meanwhile, Malachi Toney, who had been a standout in Miami’s earlier CFP victory against Texas A&M, caught a screen pass for a 36-yard touchdown, putting the Hurricanes ahead 24-19.

Chambliss’s touchdown pass briefly put the Rebels back in front, but Miami’s offense proved too much to handle, and Ole Miss’s incredible journey came to an end.

The Rebels, led by newly promoted head coach Pete Golding, had already defied odds, defeating Tulane and overcoming powerhouse Georgia in the playoffs.

Miami’s defense breathed new life into memories of their 2001 championship team, transitioning from a vulnerable squad to an almost impregnable force under coordinator Corey Heatherman.

In the Fiesta Bowl’s early moments, Miami’s defense held Ole Miss to a mere minus one yard. However, a pivotal play turned the tide for the Rebels. Kewan Lacy, the nation’s third-best rusher, dashed through the defense for a stunning 73-yard touchdown run—the longest Miami had allowed since 2018.

On offense, the Hurricanes appeared strategic, gradually wearing down the Rebels before setting up Chalmar Brown’s 4-yard touchdown run as well as a field goal. A failed defensive coverage allowed Beck to connect with Kieran Marion for a crucial 52-yard touchdown just before halftime, significantly shifting the offensive dynamic.