Miami Edges Ole Miss in Fiesta Bowl Thriller to Clinch National Title Berth

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In a game that will be etched into the archives of Hurricanes history, No. 10 Miami secured its first shot at a national championship since 2001 with a heart-stopping 31–27 victory over No. 6 Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Under the desert sky at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8, 2026, the Hurricanes proved their “controversial” playoff selection was no fluke, overcoming a late fourth-quarter deficit with a legacy-defining drive led by quarterback Carson Beck. The win sets the stage for a cinematic finale: Miami will play for the national title on its home turf at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19.

The Drive: Beck’s Heisman Moment

The game came down to a final, 75-yard march. After Ole Miss took a 27–24 lead with just 3:13 remaining following a Trinidad Chambliss touchdown pass, Carson Beck took the field with ice in his veins. Beck, the veteran transfer who already holds a ring from his time at Georgia, converted four late-down situations on the final possession.

With 18 seconds left on the clock and the season on the line, Beck saw the left side of the field open up and scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown. It was his only rushing score of the night, but it was the one that punched Miami’s ticket to the National Championship.

Game Summary: A Tactical Chess Match

The contest was a tale of two philosophies: Miami’s “bend-but-don’t-break” defense against the explosive, quick-strike offense of the Rebels.

The Early Slog: Miami’s defense was impenetrable in the first quarter, holding Ole Miss to minus-1 total yard. The Hurricanes built a slow lead through a Carter Davis field goal and a 4-yard CharMar Brown touchdown.
The Lacy Lightning Bolt: Ole Miss found life on the first play of the second quarter when Kewan Lacy, the nation’s third-leading rusher, burst through the middle for a 73-yard touchdown run—the longest play allowed by Miami’s defense all season.
The Aerial Assault: Before the half, Beck uncorked a 52-yard bomb to Keelan Marion to put Miami up 17–13. The Rebels countered with the kicking leg of Lucas Carneiro, who nailed a staggering 58-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter.

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
No. 10 Miami	3	14	0	14	31
No. 6 Ole Miss	0	13	3	11	27

Top Performers

Miami Hurricanes

Carson Beck (QB): 268 passing yards, 2 Passing TDs, 1 Rushing TD (Game-winner).
Mark Fletcher Jr. (RB): 133 rushing yards on 22 carries; provided the physical presence needed to drain the clock.
Malachi Toney (WR): 5 catches for 81 yards, including a 36-yard screen-pass touchdown in the 4th quarter.

Ole Miss Rebels

Trinidad Chambliss (QB): 277 passing yards, 1 TD. Led a courageous comeback in his first season as a starter.
Kewan Lacy (RB): 103 rushing yards, 1 TD. Recorded his 7th 100-yard game of the season.
Lucas Carneiro (K): 4-for-5 on field goals, including makes from 58 and 54 yards.

The Road Ahead: Hard Rock Stadium

The Hurricanes’ victory completes an improbable playoff run that saw them dismantle Texas A&M and stun reigning champion Ohio State before outlasting the Rebels. Miami (13-2) now awaits the winner of the second semifinal between No. 1 Indiana and No. 5 Oregon.

The championship game on January 19, 2026, represents a “full circle” moment for head coach Mario Cristobal, as he leads his alma mater back to the pinnacle of the sport in the very stadium they call home.