FOOTBALL: Carson Beck score vaults No. 10 Miami past No. 6 Ole Miss in CFP semifinal

The Miami Hurricanes are heading home for a shot at the national championship after a thrilling 31-27 comeback victory over Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night in Glendale, Arizona.

Quarterback Carson Beck scored the winning points on a 3-yard touchdown run with just 18 seconds remaining, capping Miami’s dramatic rally.

After playing five consecutive games away from home—including three in the CFP—the 10th-seeded Hurricanes (13-2) earned the chance to compete for the national title in their own stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Jan. 19.

Miami captured the Fiesta Bowl for the first time in its five appearances and will face either No. 5 Oregon or top-seeded Indiana, who will meet in the Peach Bowl semifinal on Friday night in Atlanta.

The Hurricanes extended their winning streak to seven games and set a program record with 13 wins. This marks Miami’s first opportunity to play for a national championship since 2002 and an attempt to win its sixth overall title, the first since 2001.

“These guys know exactly who they are, and they weren’t going to settle for just getting here,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “A lot of times, narratives take over, but this game has never been about that. After Nov. 1, these guys made a decision to just bring the energy. We just have to get back to Miami—we haven’t been home in a while—and focus on being 1 and 0.”

Ole Miss (13-2), the No. 6 seed, had one last chance after quarterback Trinidad Chambliss guided the Rebels to Miami’s 35-yard line with six seconds remaining. But Chambliss’ Hail Mary into the corner of the end zone bounced off De’Zhaun Stribling’s hands as Miami defensive back Ethan O’Connor covered tightly, ending the game.

“We knew this was going to be hard,” Ole Miss coach Pete Golding said. “To be the best, you have to coach your best. We had an opportunity despite not playing our best game, and that’s what we said at halftime. Hats off to Miami—they found a way. We have to do a better job of closing it.”

The Rebels had briefly taken the lead when Chambliss connected with Dae’Quan Wright for a 24-yard touchdown. Chambliss then completed a two-point conversion to Caleb Odom in the back of the end zone, putting Ole Miss ahead 27-24 with 3:13 left. Chambliss finished 23 of 37 for 277 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.

“I’m just thinking about my brothers and the people who sacrificed a lot to get here,” Chambliss said. “This season has been bumpy, but they kept our focus. It’s been truly special.”

Miami’s next game will be their first in front of a home crowd since Nov. 15. The Hurricanes closed the regular season with road wins at Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh before defeating Texas A&M in the first round and Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals.

Beck, named Offensive MVP, orchestrated a 15-play, 75-yard drive for the winning score. He completed 23 of 37 passes for 268 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

“It feels really good to be a Cane, and I’m so proud of this team,” Beck said. “We never flinched in the face of adversity and answered the bell.”

Miami took a 24-19 lead with 5:04 left when Malachi Toney caught a bubble screen, broke a tackle, and raced 36 yards to the end zone. Toney finished with five receptions for 81 yards.

The lead changed six times overall and four times in the final seven minutes, beginning with Lucas Carneiro’s 21-yard field goal that gave Ole Miss a 19-17 advantage. Despite Miami dominating the first half, the game remained close, with Miami holding a significant edge in plays (88-60) and time of possession (41:22 to 18:38).

Ole Miss opened the second quarter with a 73-yard touchdown run by Kewan Lacy, who left the game briefly with a hamstring injury but returned to finish with 103 yards on 11 carries.

Miami struggled with 10 penalties for 74 yards, and Ole Miss sacked Beck four times. Miami’s pass rush, which had 46 sacks entering the game, recorded only one sack against Chambliss, with Suntarine Perkins accounting for 1.5. Kapena Gushiken also intercepted Beck at the Rebels’ 14-yard line after a deflection by Kam Franklin.

Despite these setbacks, Miami’s rushing attack thrived, led by Mark Fletcher Jr. with 133 yards on 22 carries. Keelan Marion added seven receptions for 114 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown that gave Miami a 17-10 lead late in the first half.

-Field Level Media/Reuters