MIAMI — The Miami Hurricanes arrived at Miami International Airport on Friday afternoon just hours after their 31-27 win over Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl.
Fans packed the airport to cheer on their team who will now play in the College Football Playoff National Championship at their home, Hard Rock Stadium, on Jan. 19.
The Hurricanes will face against the winner of the Peach Bowl between No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 1 Indiana. That game is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
Fans have been partying since quarterback Carson Beck scrambled for the game-winning 3-yard touchdown on Thursday night.
The familiar sound of banging pots and pans — a celebratory ritual long associated with Miami sports — is back as Hurricanes fans celebrate a return to college football’s biggest stage.
“We don’t call them the cardiac Canes for no reason,” said Justin Classey, known online as Classey Cane.
Classey, a former Hurricanes graduate student who has followed the team since childhood, has amassed thousands of like-minded fans on social media.
Many of those followers are now sharing in the excitement as Miami prepares to compete for its first national title in more than two decades.
“The Miami Hurricanes are the only college football program where the culture of the city is built into the program. You don’t see that swagger -- that’s Miami day to day. So to be able to be on that national stage after 23 years is amazing,” Classey said.
The celebration stretches well beyond South Florida.
“Most of the comments are oh thank you so much for supporting us,” said Richard Sasaki, a 27-year-old salesman living in Tokyo.
Sasaki has gone viral for his devotion to the Hurricanes despite having no personal ties to South Florida. He regularly watches games despite a 14-hour time difference that often puts kickoff during his workday.
“I had three appointments during the third quarter and I finished up watching in a Japanese restaurant,” Sasaki said.
A short stint living in Hawaii introduced Sasaki to American football. He was initially drawn to the Miami Dolphins before becoming a dedicated Hurricanes fan.
“For me in that moment was my life coming together and enjoying being a fan and being a part of the university. It’s a life long membership,” Classey added.
Back in Miami, fans have gathered on campus as anticipation builds for the national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. With excitement growing, die-hard supporters are already predicting how the season will end.
Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal also spoke to reporters after arriving back at home.
“The University of Miami Hurricanes changed the city way back in the day, and it’s what drew us as young men, as kids to come to the University of Miami,” Cristobal said. “So to see Miami galvanizing like it is right now. It’s awesome and we need everybody in that stadium going absolutely bananas here doing this for the community.”
Cristobal said the support from fans has had a meaningful impact on players as they prepare for the season.
“Oh, it’s awesome, and I encourage everyone because I know what our guys go through, what they do on a daily basis, how they approach their work and their business,” he said. “They love seeing you guys. They love the support. It hits home for them, you know, and it’s a game changer for them.”
Cristobal urged continued fan involvement, saying it motivates players and reinforces their connection to the university.
“So the more you can support them and be around them, please do so,” he said. “It’s great, it’s appreciated beyond what words can describe.”
Cristobal said he is grateful for the reception from the community and the energy surrounding the program.
“I’m extremely grateful,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful to be here and I’m extremely grateful to see so many people come out here. I mean it hits home hard and again we’re really, really highly motivated human beings.”
“Words can’t even explain how we’re feeling right now,” added freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney, who scored on a screen pass in Miami’s win over Ole Miss. “We earned this opportunity and we’re blessed to be in this position. Now we need to go out and finish.”
It was the school’s first-ever Fiesta Bowl victory (previously 0-4) and the first time a team will host the National Championship game in their own stadium during the College Football Playoff era that began in 2014.
Hurricanes fans are encouraged to share their photos as Miami heads to their first National Championship Game since 2001.
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