Image Source: Nick Bromberg
Key Takeaways
- Carson Beck led the Miami Hurricanes to a 31-27 win over Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl, securing a spot in the national championship game.
- Beck’s game-winning touchdown run with 18 seconds left capped a 15-play, 75-yard drive and gave Miami its first title game appearance in over 20 seasons.
- Miami coach Mario Cristobal praised Beck, saying "he’s hungry, he’s driven, he’s a great human being and all he wants to do is he wants to see his teammates have success."
- Ole Miss’ dream title run ended with the loss, despite a strong performance from quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
- The Hurricanes will play in the national title game at their home stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, in South Florida.
Introduction to the Game
The Miami Hurricanes, led by quarterback Carson Beck, defeated the Ole Miss Rebels 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl, securing a spot in the national championship game. Beck’s game-winning touchdown run with 18 seconds left capped a 15-play, 75-yard drive and gave Miami its first title game appearance in over 20 seasons. As Miami coach Mario Cristobal told ESPN after the game, "That’s the perfect example of a guy — he feels supported, he’s hungry, he’s driven, he’s a great human being and all he wants to do is he wants to see his teammates have success."
The Game-Winning Drive
The game-winning drive was a testament to Beck’s determination and leadership. As Cristobal said, "And that’s what we witnessed tonight. And Carson Beck, I can’t say enough great things about him. Love the guy, absolutely awesome." The drive took nearly three minutes and featured several key plays, including a 17-yard completion to Keelan Marion over the middle. With just over 30 seconds left, Beck found a wide-open lane on the left side and scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown, giving Miami the lead.
Ole Miss’ Dream Title Run
Ole Miss’ dream title run ended with the loss, despite a strong performance from quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. The Rebels averaged 6.6 yards per play to Miami’s 5.2, but were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. As Chambliss said, "We have what we call mutual combat. Both players are getting their hands on each other. We’re going to leave that alone 99% of the time. I want to see one of them get a true, true advantage." The Rebels were also hindered by the loss of star tailback Kewan Lacy, who injured his right hamstring on a 73-yard TD run at the start of the second quarter.
Controversy Surrounding Miami’s Playoff Berth
Miami’s inclusion in the College Football Playoff was not without controversy. The Hurricanes jumped Notre Dame in the final set of rankings, despite some arguing that the Fighting Irish were more deserving. However, Miami responded to the criticism by reeling off three straight wins, including a 10-3 win over Texas A&M in the first round and a 24-14 win over defending national champion Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. As Cristobal said, "Whoever counted us out, they’re never part of the equation. They never will be."
Beck’s Journey to Miami
Beck came to Miami after a two-year run as Georgia’s starting quarterback. The class of 2020 recruit got an extra season of eligibility thanks to the NCAA’s COVID-19 rules during his freshman season and redshirted in 2021. After serving as Stetson Bennett’s backup in 2022, Beck took over as Georgia’s starter in 2023 and was a preseason Heisman favorite entering the 2024 season. However, his 2024 campaign was rougher than his first season as a starter, and he injured his right throwing elbow on a Hail Mary attempt at the end of the first half of the SEC title game.
The Road Ahead
The Hurricanes will play in the national title game at their home stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, in South Florida. As Beck said, "We’re loving life after leading our Canes to the championship game." The team will look to build on their momentum and bring home their first national title since 2001. With Beck at the helm, the Hurricanes are confident and ready for the challenge ahead. As Cristobal said, "We have a great team, and we’re excited to see what the future holds."
https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/breaking-news/live/carson-beck-lifts-miami-to-cfp-title-game-with-late-td-run-to-beat-ole-miss-in-fiesta-bowl-234214612.html
