In a nail-biting College Football Playoff semifinal, Miami edged Ole Miss 31-27 in a Fiesta Bowl thriller, with quarterback Carson Beck delivering a late touchdown that sealed the win for the Hurricanes. The game, held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, kept fans captivated until the final whistle. Miami, the No. 10 seed, pulled off the upset against the higher-ranked No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels, earning a spot in the national championship game set for January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The matchup started slow, with both teams feeling each other out in the first quarter. Ole Miss struck first when running back Ulysses Bentley IV powered in from five yards out, giving the Rebels a 7-0 lead. Miami answered back quickly. Beck connected with wide receiver Xavier Restrepo on a 22-yard pass to tie things up.
The Hurricanes’ offence looked sharp early, mixing runs and short passes to keep the Ole Miss defence guessing. By halftime, the score sat at 17-14 in favour of Miami, thanks to a field goal from Andres Borregales as time expired in the second quarter.
Beck’s story added extra spice to the night. He transferred to Miami from Georgia last offseason, landing a name, image, and likeness deal worth over $4 million. That move came after a tough loss to Ole Miss while he was still with the Bulldogs. Rebels coach Lane Kiffin didn’t hold back on his podcast back in April 2025, poking fun at Beck’s performance in that game.
He called it “forgettable” and questioned if Beck had the grit for big moments. Well, Beck got his shot at redemption here. In the post-game interview, he didn’t hide his feelings. “This is the best moment of my life,” Beck said, a big grin on his face. “Proving people wrong, especially in a game like this, just hits different.”
As the second half kicked off, Ole Miss came out firing. Quarterback Jaxson Dart, who’s been steady all season, threw a 35-yard bomb to wideout Tre Harris, putting the Rebels back in front 21-17. The crowd, a mix of orange and green from Miami fans and red from Ole Miss supporters, got louder with every play.
Miami’s defence stepped up, though. Linebacker Francisco Mauigoa sacked Dart twice, disrupting the Rebels’ rhythm. Still, Ole Miss managed another score on a short run by Henry Parrish Jr, making it 27-24 late in the fourth.
That’s when Beck took over. With under two minutes left and Miami down by three, he led a drive from their own 25-yard line. He hit tight end Elijah Arroyo for a key first down, then scrambled for 15 yards himself. On third and goal from the 7, Beck faked a handoff and dashed into the end zone untouched. The touchdown put Miami up 31-27. Ole Miss had one last chance, but Dart’s hail mary pass fell incomplete as time ran out. The Hurricanes’ sideline erupted, players mobbing Beck on the field.
Fans online were quick to point out the irony. Kiffin’s old comments resurfaced on social media, with memes flying about Beck’s “payback”. One tweet read, “Kiffin talked trash; Beck cashed the cheque.” It summed up the night perfectly. Beck finished with 268 passing yards, two touchdowns through the air, and that crucial rushing score. Dart, for Ole Miss, threw for 312 yards and two TDs but couldn’t overcome the turnovers—his interception in the third quarter led to Miami points.
This win marks a turnaround for Miami under coach Mario Cristobal. The Hurricanes started the season unranked but climbed the ladder with wins over Florida State and Clemson. Now, they’re headed home for the title game, where they’ll face the winner of the other semifinal. Ole Miss, meanwhile, ends a strong year on a sour note. Kiffin has built a contender in Oxford, Mississippi, but they’ll have to wait another season for a shot at the crown.
The Fiesta Bowl has a history of dramatic finishes, and this one fits right in. Back in 2007, Boise State stunned Oklahoma with trick plays. This time, it was straight-up grit from Miami. Attendance was over 70,000, with fans travelling from Florida and Mississippi to pack the stands. The weather in Glendale was mild, around 65 degrees, perfect for football.
Looking ahead, Miami’s path to the championship isn’t easy. They’ll need to shore up their run defence, which gave up 156 yards to Ole Miss. Beck will be the focal point, but the team effort shone through. Restrepo had 102 receiving yards, and the offensive line held up against a tough Rebels front.
For college football fans in Miami, this is huge. The city hasn’t seen a national title contender like this in years. Local bars were buzzing after the game, with watch parties spilling into the streets. Even in places like Atlanta or Dallas, where alumni gather, the excitement is palpable.
Ole Miss fans, though disappointed, can hold their heads high. Dart’s growth this season was impressive, and with recruits coming in, they’re set for 2026. Kiffin, ever the quotable coach, said post-game, “We fought hard, but credit to them. We’ll be back.”
