GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Miami Hurricanes are heading back to the national championship stage for the first time in more than two decades.
No. 10 Miami held off No. 6 Ole Miss 31-27 on Thursday night in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, advancing to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
It marks Miami’s first appearance in the national title game since winning it all in 2001 vs. Nebraska. It’s also the first time a team will play in the big game in their home stadium since the CFP era began in 2014.
Miami quarterback Carson Beck accounted for three touchdowns, including the game-winning score on a 3-yard keeper with 18 seconds left, as the Hurricanes survived a back-and-forth battle that featured four lead changes in the fourth quarter.
Miami was dealt an early setback when defensive lineman Ahmad Moten Sr. left with a right leg injury on the Rebels’ third play from scrimmage.
After winning the opening coin toss, Ole Miss went three-and-out as Mohamed Toure pressured quarterback Trinidad Chambliss into an incompletion on third-and-4.
Miami capitalized on its first possession.
Beck connected with wide receiver Keelan Marion for a first down, and Mark Fletcher Jr. converted a fourth-and-2 with a 3-yard run. The drive stalled inside the 25, but Carter Davis drilled a 38-yard field goal to give the Hurricanes a 3-0 lead.
The Hurricanes’ defense forced another three-and-out when defensive back Keionte Scott came free on a blitz, forcing Chambliss to unload the ball early. Beck later found wide receiver Malachi Toney for a first down on a play initially ruled targeting before the call was overturned after review.
Ole Miss grabbed its first lead early in the second quarter when Kewan Lacy broke free for a career-long 73-yard touchdown run, putting the Rebels ahead 7-3. It marked the first time Miami trailed in the College Football Playoff.
The Hurricanes responded with a steady march.
Beck found receiver Joshua Moore and tight end Elija Lofton for first downs, and after slipping for a loss earlier in the series, CharMar “Marty” Brown scored on a 4-yard run to put Miami back on top 10-7.
Ole Miss tied the game on a 42-yard field goal by Lucas Carneiro following a 20-yard completion from Chambliss to Harrison Wallace III. Miami answered immediately when Beck hit Marion for a 52-yard touchdown on a busted coverage, pushing the Hurricanes ahead 17-10.
The Rebels closed the gap late in the half when Carneiro connected from 58 yards, cutting the deficit to 17-13.
Chambliss, who threw for 362 yards in Ole Miss’ Sugar Bowl win over Georgia, was limited to 71 passing yards in the first half. Beck finished the opening half 14 of 18 for 156 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.
Miami missed a chance to extend its lead early in the third quarter when Davis missed from 51 yards. Ole Miss capitalized with field goals of 54 and 22 yards by Carneiro — his fourth of the game — to take a 19-17 lead late in the third quarter.
Beck threw his first interception of the game when his pass was tipped by defensive end Kam Franklin and intercepted by safety Kapena Gushiken, but Miami’s defense held firm and kept the deficit to two points.
The Hurricanes regained control early in the fourth quarter.
Beck connected with Marion on a deep pass, Fletcher added a 17-yard run, and Beck found Toney on a wide receiver screen for a 36-yard touchdown to give Miami a 24-19 lead with just over five minutes remaining.
Ole Miss responded again as Chambliss found tight end Dae’Quan Wright for a 24-yard touchdown. The Rebels converted the two-point attempt on a pass to receiver Caleb Odom, reclaiming the lead at 27-24.
Miami’s final drive was aided by a facemask penalty, but Beck remained poised, completing passes of 17 and 10 yards to Marion to set up first-and-goal.
Brown ran for six yards before Beck powered in on a 3-yard quarterback keeper, and Davis added the extra point to put the Hurricanes ahead 31-27.
Ole Miss could not answer on its final possession after a Hail Mary attempt from Chambliss fell short, sealing Miami’s victory and sending the Hurricanes to the national championship game for the first time since 2001.
Game notes:
• Beck finished 23/37 with 268 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He also added the go-ahead rushing touchdown which sealed the game for Miami. It was the first time he had scored a rushing touchdown since Miami’s Week 3 49-12 win over South Florida.
• Miami ran for 191 rushing yards on 51 carries. The duo of Fletcher and Brown combined for 187 yards and a touchdown on 36 combined carries.
• Marion had game-highs of seven receptions for 114 yards, which was highlighted by a 52-yard touchdown from Beck.
• Lacy’s 73-yard touchdown run was the longest run allowed by a Miami defense since 2018, according to ESPN.
• Miami will become the first team in college football history to play in the national championship game in their home stadium.
Up next:
Miami will face the winner of the Peach Bowl between No. 1 Indiana and No. 5 Oregon in the national championship game. That game is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
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