Miami engineers an instant classic at the Fiesta Bowl, outlasting Ole Miss on a dramatic 75-yard march to set up a national championship showdown at home
GLENDALE, Ariz. | In a College Football Playoff semifinal for the ages, the Miami Hurricanes summoned one final surge when it mattered most, marching 75 yards in 15 plays and scoring with just 18 seconds remaining to stun Ole Miss 31–27 Thursday night at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
The victory sends No. 10 Miami (13–2) to the CFP National Championship Game on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium, where the Hurricanes will play the winner of the Indiana–Oregon Peach Bowl semifinal. No. 6 Ole Miss (13–2) saw its season end after a breathtaking fourth quarter that featured four lead changes in the final seven minutes.
With the Rebels clinging to a 27–24 edge, Miami quarterback Carson Beck delivered a defining moment. Calm under pressure, Beck mixed precision throws with timely scrambles, capping the drive himself with a three-yard rushing touchdown that flipped the script and exorcised Miami’s long-standing desert demons.
Beck earned Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP honors, finishing 23-of-37 for 268 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, plus the game-winning score. The Hurricanes ran 88 plays, controlled the ball for more than 41 minutes, and converted 11 of 19 third downs—numbers that told the story of a relentless, physical performance.
Ground Game Sets the Tone
Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. continued his postseason tear with 133 yards on 22 carries, eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards on the season. Marty Brown added 54 yards and a touchdown, providing the balance Miami needed to wear down Ole Miss late.
On the perimeter, Keelan Marion delivered a star turn with seven catches for 114 yards, including a momentum-swinging 52-yard touchdown, while Malachi Toney dazzled with five receptions for 81 yards and an acrobatic score that briefly put Miami back in front in the fourth quarter.
Defense Delivers When It Counts
Miami’s defense bent but never broke. Safety Jakobe Thomas, the Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP, anchored the unit with five tackles and two pass breakups. Linebacker Mohamed Toure added four tackles and a sack as the Hurricanes limited Ole Miss to 2-of-10 on third down.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 277 yards and a touchdown, and running back Kewan Lacy electrified the crowd with a 73-yard scoring sprint. Tight end Dae’Quan Wright chipped in 64 yards and a score, but Miami’s late-game composure proved decisive.
A Championship Comes Home
The win marked Miami’s first Fiesta Bowl victory and secured a chance at the program’s sixth national championship—on its own turf. After decades of near-misses and postseason heartbreak, the Hurricanes now return to South Florida with momentum, belief, and a date with destiny.
If Thursday night was any indication, the Canes won’t be backing down from anyone.
======
-- By Michael R. Thomas
Bronwyn Stone contributed to this report.
© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.
No comments:
Post a Comment