By JOHN MARSHALL
GLENDALE — In a thrilling finish, Carson Beck dashed into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown with just 18 seconds remaining, propelling Miami to a 31-27 victory over Mississippi in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night. The win sets up the Hurricanes for a chance to claim their first national championship since 2001.
The 10th-ranked Hurricanes (13-2) faced a formidable challenge from the sixth-ranked Rebels (13-2), especially during a tumultuous fourth quarter. Mississippi took a 27-24 lead when Trinidad Chambliss connected with Dae’Quan Wright for a 24-yard touchdown pass with 3:13 left on the clock.
Beck, who previously secured a national title as a backup at Georgia, maintained his poise and guided the Hurricanes downfield for the decisive score. This victory gives Beck, now boasting a 37-5 record as a starter including his tenure at Georgia, the chance to lead Miami to glory at their home ground, Hard Rock Stadium, on January 19.
Despite losing their coach before the playoffs, the sixth-seeded Rebels kept their composure throughout the match.
Lane Kiffin’s departure to LSU seemed to galvanize Ole Miss, driving the team to its most successful season yet, bringing them remarkably close to their first national championship game appearance.
Ole Miss kept Miami within reach when its offense labored and took a 19-17 lead on Lucas Carneiro’s fourth field goal, from 21 yards.
Malachi Toney, the hero of Miami’s opening CFP win over Texas A&M, turned a screen pass into a 36-yard touchdown that put Miami up 24-19.
Chambliss’ TD pass to Wright put the Rebels back on top, but improbable run came to an end when the defense couldn’t hold the Hurricanes.
But what a run it was.
With Pete Golding calling the shots after being promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach, and most of the assistants sticking around, the Rebels blew out Tulane to open the playoff and took down mighty Georgia in the CFP quarterfinals.
They faced a different kind of storm in the Hurricanes.
Miami has rekindled memories of its 2001 national championship team behind a defense that went from porous to nearly impenetrable in its first season under coordinator Corey Hetherman.
The Hurricanes walled up early in the Fiesta Bowl, holding Ole Miss to minus-1 yard.
One play revved up the Rebels and their rowdy fans.
Kewan Lacy, the nation’s third-leading rusher, burst through a hole up the middle for a 73-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter — the longest run allowed by Miami’s defense since 2018.
The Hurricanes seemed content to grind away at the Rebels in small chunks offensively, setting up CharMar Brown’s 4-yard touchdown run and a field goal.
Miami unlocked the deep game just before halftime, taking advantage of a busted coverage for a 52-yard touchdown pass from Beck to Keelan Marion.
