Image Source: Nick Bromberg
Key Takeaways
- The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes defeated the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl to advance to the national championship game.
- Kewan Lacy’s 73-yard touchdown run for Ole Miss was a highlight of the game, but he suffered a hamstring injury that limited his playing time in the second half.
- Malachi Toney’s 36-yard touchdown catch for Miami was a crucial play in the fourth quarter, giving the Hurricanes a 24-19 lead.
- Dae’Quan Wright’s 24-yard touchdown catch for Ole Miss tied the game, but Carson Beck’s 3-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds remaining gave Miami the win.
- Trinidad Chambliss’s incomplete Hail Mary attempt as time expired ended the Rebels’ chances of a comeback.
Introduction to the Game
The Miami Hurricanes are one step closer to winning their first national title in over two decades after defeating the Ole Miss Rebels 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams making big plays on offense and defense. As the article states, "Kewan Lacy’s 73-yard TD run" was a highlight of the game, but it came at a cost to Ole Miss as Lacy suffered a hamstring injury that limited his playing time in the second half.
The Impact of Injuries
Lacy’s injury was a significant blow to the Rebels, as he was a key player in their offense. As the article notes, "Lacy didn’t play another snap the rest of the quarter and Ole Miss coach Pete Golding said he’d be evaluated at halftime." Despite his limited playing time, Lacy still managed to finish with 11 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown. His injury, however, forced the Rebels to adjust their game plan and rely more on their passing game.
Big Plays on Offense
The game was marked by several big plays on offense, including Malachi Toney’s 36-yard touchdown catch for Miami. As the article states, "Toney gave Miami a 24-19 lead with 5:04 to go when he caught a tunnel screen and raced 36 yards for a touchdown." Toney’s catch was a crucial play in the fourth quarter, giving the Hurricanes a lead that they would not relinquish. The freshman wide receiver had a standout game, finishing with five catches for 81 yards and 77 yards after the catch.
Response from Ole Miss
Ole Miss responded to Toney’s touchdown with a touchdown of their own, courtesy of Dae’Quan Wright’s 24-yard catch. As the article notes, "It took Ole Miss less than two minutes to respond to Toney’s TD. Wright scored on the sixth play of a 75-yard drive to give Ole Miss a one-point lead before Trinidad Chambliss’ two-point pass to Caleb Odom put Ole Miss up 27-24." Wright’s catch was a big play for the Rebels, but it ultimately was not enough to secure the win.
The Winning Touchdown
The winning touchdown was scored by Miami’s Carson Beck, who ran for a 3-yard score with 18 seconds remaining. As the article states, "Beck’s run was the 15th play of a drive that took nearly three minutes for the Hurricanes." Beck’s touchdown was a thrilling conclusion to the game, and it gave the Hurricanes the win they needed to advance to the national championship game.
Final Seconds
The final seconds of the game were marked by a Hail Mary attempt from Ole Miss’s Trinidad Chambliss. As the article notes, "Ole Miss fans understandably wanted pass interference on the Hail Mary. But it’s important to note that pass interference is hardly called on those attempts." Despite the Rebels’ hopes for a penalty, the play was ruled incomplete, and the Hurricanes secured the win.
Conclusion
The Miami Hurricanes’ win over the Ole Miss Rebels was a thrilling conclusion to the Fiesta Bowl. The game was marked by big plays on offense and defense, and it ultimately came down to a few crucial moments in the fourth quarter. As the article states, "Miami would have likely won the game even with a penalty" on the Hail Mary attempt, but the Hurricanes’ victory was still a hard-fought one. With the win, the Hurricanes advance to the national championship game, where they will look to win their first title in over two decades.
https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/breaking-news/article/the-5-plays-that-defined-miamis-fiesta-bowl-win-over-ole-miss-053849280.html
