GLENDALE, Ariz. – For the first time in 25 years, the No. 10 University of Miami is headed back to the National Championship. The Hurricanes defeated the No. 6 University of Mississippi 31-27 in the College Football Semi-final at the 2026 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 8.
The 55th annual Fiesta Bowl was an instant classic, coming down to the final play where Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss rolled left and chucked a 35-yard prayer intended for senior receiver De’Zhaun Stribling. With lots of contact in the back of the endzone, a controversial pass-interference was not called, crowning the ‘Canes as Fiesta Bowl Champions for the first time in program history.
‘Canes chewing clock
Throughout last week’s duel, Miami more than doubled the time of possession battle, having at least 41 minutes to the Rebels’ 18 minutes. The Ole Miss defensive line struggled to stop the run from the Hurricanes all game, allowing Miami junior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. to lead with a game-high 133 yards on 22 carries, averaging six yards per rush.
Notably, The Hurricanes ran 28 more plays than Ole Miss on Offense (88-60), which made it difficult for Ole Miss to stay in the game.
Explosive plays
On the first play of the second quarter, Ole Miss sophomore running back Kewan Lacy took off for a career-long 73-yard touchdown to put the Rebels on the board. However, after the score, Lacy would not play a single down til the third quarter and would not get a carry until the fourth quarter; this would play a huge factor in the Rebels’ offensive game plan for the rest of the game.
Later in the quarter, Miami’s sixth-year quarterback Carson Beck dropped back and launched a deep ball to a wide-open senior receiver Keelan Marion for a 52-yard touchdown to reclaim the lead.
After some missed field goals from both teams, Miami jumped out in front yet again after Beck threaded the needle to freshman phenom receiver Malachi Toney over the middle. Toney used his blazing speed to escape multiple tackles and sprint into the endzone for a 36-yard score midway through the fourth quarter.
Ole Miss responded on the following drive when Chambliss delivered a dime to senior tight end Dae’Quan Wright for a 24-yard touchdown. The Rebels kept their offense on the field and converted the 2-point try to go up 27-24 with just over three minutes left after Chambliss rolled right and found tight end Caleb Odom in the back of the endzone.
On the ensuing drive, Miami went back to its bread and butter. The ‘Canes capped off a 15-play 75-yard drive that lasted just under three minutes with Beck skipping into the endzone all by himself to punch Miami’s ticket back to the National Championship.
Big down plays
As the Rebels clawed back from down as much as seven, Miami converted when they needed it most. The ‘Canes went 11/19 on third downs and 2/2 on 4th down plays. Having Miami move the sticks at a 58% clip on third down allowed the Hurricanes to extend their long drives and wear out the Ole Miss defense, while also keeping the Rebels’ offense off the field.
The ‘Canes had three drives throughout the game that lasted more than seven minutes and had four drives that had at least 13 plays.
Tempo offense
Through the first 15 minutes of the Fiesta Bowl, Ole Miss had -1 total yards on offense. The Rebels only had two drives in the opening quarter, both of which resulted in three-and-outs and lasted less than two and a half minutes.
By halftime the Rebels had three drives under a minute, two just over a minute and one longer than two and a half minutes.
Despite Ole Miss being down for most of the second half, the Rebels started taking their time on offense and found open holes in the Miami defense when doing so. Two out of their five drives in the final two quarters were their longest drives of the game in terms of time.
Late in the third quarter, Ole Miss knocked in a 54-yard field goal after a drive just under three minutes. On the following possession, the Rebels split the uprights yet again, only this time it was a 21-yard field goal that closed off a drive that took over five minutes.
It just means more
The 55th annual Fiesta Bowl saw an attendance of 67,928, with numerous reports suggesting that Ole Miss had roughly 30,000 in attendance, dominating the scene at State Farm Stadium in crimson. Airports all over the country, Jackson, Birmingham, Dallas, Memphis and New Orleans were flooded with Rebels fans making the trip out west.
“It’s truly special to see how dedicated Ole Miss fans are and how special the Oxford community is […] we’re all in it together, we wouldn’t be here without their support […] Oxford is just special, I can’t say that enough,” Chambliss said on the support Ole Miss has received all season.
“They deserve a better outcome, but they deserve these opportunities to be on a consistent basis […] it means the world to our players and to our staff that your hard work is recognized and appreciated,” Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding said on Ole Miss fans making their presence known in the Fiesta Bowl.
Looking Ahead
The ‘Canes will take on undefeated No. 1 Indiana University in the National Championship on Monday, Jan. 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. In what is regarded as a home game for Miami, the Hoosiers come in as heavy favorites and have blown out their previous opponents in Alabama and Oregon by a combined 69 points before reaching the Championship game.
If the Hurricanes want any chance at taking down Indiana, they need to play to perfection. Limiting penalties to an absolute minimum and taking care of the ball while playing to their strengths espesically on the defensive front, should give Miami a shot at making history for the first time since 2001.
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