Miami edges Ole Miss in Fiesta Bowl, returning to national championship for first time in 23 years

Miami QB Carson Beck scored on a 3-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds to go to, putting the Hurricanes ahead and sending them to the College Football Playoff National Championship

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- No. 10 seed Miami is headed home to play for a national championship after continuing its unlikely postseason run with a thrilling 31-27 win over No. 6 seed Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night.

The Hurricanes will face either No. 1 seed Indiana or No. 5 seed Oregon on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium as they chase their first national title since the 2001 season.

After sneaking into the 12-team College Football Playoff as the final at-large team, Miami delivered its third straight gritty postseason victory over a higher-seeded opponent. This one required even more late-game heroics, as quarterback Carson Beck engineered a game-winning drive over the final 3:13.

Beck capped the march with a 3-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds remaining. It was his first rushing touchdown since a Week 3 win over South Florida and it capped off a 15-play, 75-yard drive that will live in Miami lore.

Miami overcame 10 penalties and a costly interception to win a game it largely controlled but never fully put away. The Hurricanes held the ball for 23 more minutes than Ole Miss but struggled to shake a persistent Rebels team.

Ole Miss briefly seized the lead when quarterback Trinidad Chambliss connected with Dae'Quan Wright for a 24-yard touchdown with 3:13 remaining. The Rebels, however, left too much time for Beck and a Miami offense that finally wore them down when it mattered most.

Ole Miss still had one final opportunity, driving to Miami's 35-yard line in the closing seconds. Chambliss' last pass fell incomplete in the back of the end zone as time expired.

Freshman Malachi Toney also made his mark. He turned a short flat route into a 36-yard touchdown with 5:04 remaining to give Miami a 24-19 lead. Toney finished with five catches for 81 yards. Keenan Marion added seven receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown, matching a career high in catches.

Beck finished 23 of 37 for 268 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

By the numbers 

Miami

• Advanced to the CFP National Championship Game for the first time in school history

• Will play in the 2026 CFP National Championship Game on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

• First team in the BCS/CFP era (1998-present) to play a national championship game in its home stadium

• Hard Rock Stadium has been Miami's home venue since 2008

• Set a school record with 13 wins

• Seeking its sixth national championship (1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001)

• First Fiesta Bowl win in school history (previously 0-4)

• Lowest-seeded team (No. 10) to reach the CFP National Championship Game

• Second ACC program to reach the CFP title game, joining Clemson (four appearances)

• Won against an AP-ranked opponent in each of its last four games

• Recorded seven AP-ranked wins this season, most in school history

• Won five straight games vs. SEC opponents, including a 3-0 mark this season

• First national championship game appearance since the 2002 season (loss to Ohio State)

Carson Beck, QB

• 23-for-37 passing for 268 yards, two touchdowns and one interception

• Added the game-winning 3-yard rushing touchdown

• Logged his eighth career fourth-quarter comeback as a starter

• Game-winning rushing TD was his second of the season and first since Week 3 vs. South Florida

• Threw a career-high 29 touchdown passes this season, tied for second-most in school history

• Career record of 37-5 as an FBS starter, including 16-3 vs. AP-ranked teams

• Fifth quarterback in FBS history to win at least 36 games over a three-year span

• First QB since Marcus Mariota (2012-14) to reach that mark

• Tied with Matt Leinart for second-most wins (37) over a three-year span

• Tied for second-most wins vs. AP-ranked teams since 2010

• Took a season-high four sacks

Mark Fletcher Jr., RB

• 22 carries for 133 yards

• Rushed for 395 yards in the 2025 CFP, second-most in a single CFP postseason

Malachi Toney, WR

• Five receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown

• Finished the season with 99 receptions, most in Miami history

• Set the ACC freshman record for receptions

Miami: Fiesta Bowl History

Season	Opponent	Result
2025	Ole Miss	W 31-27
2002	Ohio State	L, 31-24 (2 OT)
1993	Arizona	L, 29-0
1986	Penn State	L, 14-10
1984	UCLA	L, 39-37

Most QB Wins vs. AP-Ranked Teams Since 2010

Quarterback	Wins
Jalen Hurts	17
Carson Beck	16
Kevin Hogan	16
Baker Mayfield	15

Most QB Wins Over a Three-Year Span (FBS)

Excludes overlapping streaks

Quarterback	Years	Wins
Kellen Moore	2009-11	38
Carson Beck	2023-25	37
Matt Leinart	2003-05	37
Marcus Mariota	2012-14	36
AJ McCarron	2011-13	36

Ole Miss

• Seven-game winning streak snapped

• Eight-game streak of scoring at least 30 points ended, previously the longest active streak in FBS

• Pete Golding suffered his first loss as an FBS head coach (2-1)

Trinidad Chambliss, QB

• 23-for-37 passing for 277 yards and one touchdown

• Suffered his first career loss in the NCAA playoffs (6-1)

Kewan Lacy, RB

• 11 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown

• Recorded a career-long 73-yard rushing touchdown

• The SEC will not be represented in the national championship game for the third straight season

• That follows eight consecutive appearances by SEC teams, including six national titles

[Jan 8, 2026 at 11:43 pm ET · David Cobb]

Miami quarterback Carson Beck led a touchdown drive for the history books with the game on the line in the final three minutes. The sixth-year senior has been through his ups and downs, which included a highly publicized divorce with Georgia after last season. But after recovering from elbow surgery and acclimating to his new surroundings in south Florida, Beck is emerging as one of the top stories of this postseason.

Before running in for the decisive 3-yard touchdown run, Beck hit Keelan Marion for a 17-yard strike on a pivotal third-and-10. A couple plays later, he found Marion again for an 11-yard pickup to establish the Hurricanes inside the Ole Miss 8-yard line. It was a masterful drive and one that will fundamentally alter Beck's college legacy for the better.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm ET · David Cobb]

ACC Rookie of the Year Malachi Toney left his imprint with two critical third-down conversions and a highlight reel-touchdown in the fourth quarter. The undersized speedster is a terror in the open field, and Carson Beck got him the football on a basic flat route after Toney went in motion. With just over five minutes remaining, Toney did the rest, scampering 36 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. 

It was just the last of several key grabs. A pair of Rebels had Toney wrapped up on a third-down play early in the second quarter before he broke free for a critical first down. Instead of settling for a field goal, the Hurricanes surged ahead 10-7 a few plays later on a 4-yard touchdown run from CharMar Brown.

Toney made another massive play to open the third quarter. Faced with a third-and-7, the Hurricanes were staring at a potential three-and-out when Toney took a tunnel screen and scampered for a 19-yard gain. The drive didn't lead to points, but it kept a fatiguing Ole Miss defense on the field for another two minutes.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 11:52 pm ET · David Cobb]

The best season in Ole Miss history nearly got extended for one more game as the Rebels kept bouncing back against a physically imposing Miami team that made everything tough. The Rebels pieced together some offense after opening with a pair of three-and-outs. But eventually Ole Miss wore down against a Miami team that converted on 11 of 19 third downs and on both of its fourth-down attempts. Those conversions, coupled with a Miami rushing attack that totaled 191 yards, helped the Hurricanes control the football for over 41 minutes.

Even still, the Rebels held Miami out of the end zone for nearly two full periods until the back half of the fourth quarter. That's when the dam broke as Miami ticked off a pair of 75-yard touchdown drives. Had more time been left on the clock in the end, Trinidad Chambliss and the Rebels appeared ready to answer just as they answered so often throughout the game and the season. But they simply ran out of time at the end of a historic season for a program that has shed its reputation as a little brother of the SEC.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 11:30 pm ET · David Cobb]

Final: Miami 31, Ole Miss 27

No. 10 seed Miami will be headed home to play for a national championship after continuing its unlikely postseason run with a thrilling 31-27 win over No. 6 seed Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night. The Hurricanes will play either No. 1 seed Indiana or No. 5 seed Oregon on Jan. 19 inside Hard Rock Stadium as they pursue their first title since the 2001 season.

After sneaking into the 12-team CFP field as the final at-large team, the 'Canes continued their unexpected run with a third straight gutty playoff win over a better-seeded team. This one required even more late heroics than the first two, as quarterback Carson Beck led a game-winning drive over the final 3:13.

Beck scampered in for a 3-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds remaining to put Miami on top. It was his first rushing touchdown since a Week 3 win over South Florida, and it capped a 15-play drive covering 75 yards that will go down in Miami lore.

Miami overcame 10 penalties and a costly interception to win a game that it largely dominated but never truly controlled. The Hurricanes commanded a 23-minute edge in time of possession but couldn't shake a persistent group of Rebels easily.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss hit Dae'Quan Wright for a 24-yard touchdown with 3:13 remaining to put Ole Miss ahead 27-24. But the Rebels left too much time for Beck, and a Miami offense that was finally able to wear the Rebels down when it mattered most.

Even still, the Rebels got one last chance, driving all the way to Miami's 35-yard line in the final seconds. But Chambliss' final pass fell incomplete in the back of the end zone as time expired.

Malachi Toney also made his imprint on the game. The Miami freshman made the latest game-changing play in his phenomenal debut campaign by taking a basic flat route 36 yards for a touchdown with 5:04 remaining to put Miami ahead 24-19. He finished with five receptions for 81 yards. Keenan Marion also came through in the clutch by matching a career-high with seven receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown.

Beck finished 23 of 37 for 268 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 11:24 pm ET · David Cobb]

0:18 4Q: Miami 31, Ole Miss 27

Carson Beck scampered in for a 3-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds remaining to put Miami on top. It was his first rushing touchdown since a Week 3 win over South Florida, and it capped a 15-play drive covering 75 yards that will go down in Miami lore. The Hurricanes finally broke a weary Ole Miss defense with the game on the line.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 11:11 pm ET · David Cobb]

2:00 4Q: Ole Miss 27, Miami 24

Are you not entertained? Miami will face a third-and-8 from its own 39-yard line coming out of the two-minute timeout. This game has been back and forth all night, and now Carson Beck has a chance to make himself a Miami legend. Malachi Toney has been unbelievable tonight, but Keelan Marion has also produced some big catches. Huge sequence for offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson coming up as a spot in the national championship game hangs in the balance.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 11:06 pm ET · David Cobb]

3:13 4Q: Ole Miss 27, Miami 24

Trinidad Chambliss hit Dae'Quan Wright for a 24-yard touchdown strike on a perfectly executed out route from the tight end. That was a lightning-quick response from the Rebels, who were aided by yet another costly Miami penalty. Antonie Jaboree was called for pass interference on a third-and-8 play near midfield to give new life to the drive.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 10:58 pm ET · David Cobb]

5:04 4Q: Miami 24, Ole Miss 19

Freshman phenom Malachi Toney just made a game-changing play, which is no surprise if you've followed Miami this season. The undersized speedster is a terror in the open field, and Carson Beck got him the football on a basic flat route after Toney went in motion. He did the rest, scampering 36 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. He's up to 81 yards receiving and has made some huge grabs at various critical junctures in this game.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 10:51 pm ET · David Cobb]

7:00 4Q: Ole Miss 19, Miami 17

Miami's defense came up with a big stand inside the 10-yard line, forcing Ole Miss to settle for a 21-yard Lucas Carneiro field goal to make it 19-17. That was a 14-play, 86-yard drive that took 5:19 off the clock. Did it get the Ole Miss defense enough rest to come out and produce another big stop? We'll see the Hurricanes are still dominating time of possession by more than 20 minutes.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 10:46 pm ET · David Cobb]

8:00 4Q: Miami 17, Ole Miss 16

A targeting penalty and a late hit on consecutive plays are aiding an Ole Miss drive, which has reached the red zone, and ha e added to a problematic tally for the Hurricanes, who have been whistled nine times for 67 yards. The Rebels have also notched their first two third-down conversions of the game after starting this series on their own 10-yard line. Kewan Lacy is running the football again for the first time since his 73-yard scamper to open the second quarter.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 10:29 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

End 3Q: Miami 17, Ole Miss 16

Ole Miss finally won a quarter with a 3-0 advantage in the third period to pull within a point of Miami.

Miami has dropped at least four interceptions in this game, which has hampered it from potentially pulling away in a game its offensive line has dominated.

The Rebels picked up 82 yards compared to Miami's 109 in the third quarter and only ran the ball once. Lucas Carneiro was 1 of 2 on field goals, doinking both kicks off the left upright. Ole Miss held the ball for only 3:54 in the third quarter, and still, the Rebels have to be feeling good about potentially winning this game.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 10:24 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Late 3Q: Miami 17, Ole Miss 16

Lucas Carneiro and the left upright have apparently kissed and made up. Ole Miss' incredible kicker just doinked in a 54-yard field goal after previously missing earlier in the half on a doinked ball off the same upright.

We've got a beautiful game here at the Fiesta Bowl, with the winner headed to the national championship game. 

Ole Miss marched 49 yards on nine plays and now trails by a single point despite being outgunned by nearly 100 yards and holding the ball for only 11:10.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 10:16 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Late 3Q: Miami 17, Ole Miss 13

Ole Miss is still very much in this game, which has been dominated by Miami's offensive line, because of the Hurricanes' mistakes. The biggest one yet just happened: a deflected pass, intercepted by safety Kapena Gushiken.

Beck had been perfect in the playoffs until that moment. It's his first interception since the regular-season finale at Pitt — and only his second in the last six-plus games.

Miami was driving, once again, burning 7:37 off the clock on a 13-play drive but it ended after 42 yards and the turnover.

Miami has out-gained Ole Miss 322-178, but it just feels like the Rebels are moments away from striking again and taking advantage of the penalties and mistakes. 

[Jan 8, 2026 at 10:00 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Lucas Carneiro has been clutch this entire postseason, but he just dunked a 52-yard field goal off the left upright.

Miami remains ahead 17-13 with 10:56 remaining in the third quarter after an impressive drive that saw the return of Kewan Lacy at running back. Ole Miss' drive ended after chewing up 33 yards on six plays.

Meanwhile, the drive nearly ended twice, but Miami dropped would-be Interceptions, including one that was bobbled by at least two Hurricanes.

Lacy did not record a carry.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 9:57 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy is back in the game after missing the final three possessions of the first half with a hamstring Injury.

Through three plays, he has mostly been a decoy in the third quarter. He was used for a play-action that was almost intercepted.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 9:56 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Early 3Q: Miami 17, Ole Miss 13

Carter Davis missed a 51-yard field goal attempt wide to the left and Ole Miss escaped a promising opening drive by Miami in the third quarter.

Miami marched 42 yards on nine plays, but fell behind the sticks on an intentional grounding call, before Davis' wide kick. 

Ole Miss fans can sense an opening here for their Rebels to take their first lead of the night after their defense held Miami out of the end zone for a third straight possession dating back to the second quarter.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 9:25 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Halftime: Miami 17, Ole Miss 13

Miami set the tone early, but Ole Miss stuck to its game plan, scoring three times with its quick-strike offense to remain within striking distance.

Miami dominated nearly every first-half category -- yardage, time of possession, plays and third-down conversions -- but one defensive breakdown proved costly. Superstar running back Kewan Lacy ripped off a 73-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter.

Ole Miss' offense has been slowed since Lacy exited with a hamstring injury on the long scoring play, according to ESPN's broadcast. The running game has lacked the same power without him, forcing the Rebels to lean more heavily on backup Logan Diggs, who has 10 yards on four carries.

The numbers illustrate Miami's control.

The Hurricanes outgained Ole Miss 228 yards to 145 and held the ball for all but 7 minutes, 16 seconds of the half. Miami converted 5 of 9 third downs, while Ole Miss went 0 for 5. The Hurricanes also doubled up the Rebels in first downs, 13-6.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 9:23 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Late 2Q: Miami 17, Ole Miss 13

Lucas Carneiro has been pitch-perfect in the postseason. He just drilled a 58-yarder, with room to spare, to pull Ole Miss within 17-13 before halftime.

The 58-yarder is the second-longest in Fiesta Bowl history and the longest by an Ole Miss kicker since 1970. He hit two long field goals last week in the quarterfinals to help Ole Miss upset Georgia.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 9:06 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Late 2Q: Miami 17, Ole Miss 10

Carson Beck rolled right to extend a play, a safety in the middle of the field crashed down, and receiver Keelan Marion streaked downfield from the left to the middle of the field for an easy, 52-yard touchdown catch.

The Hurricanes retake the lead, 17-10, with 2:18 remaining in the second quarter. Both offenses have scored on back-to-back possessions in less than five minutes.

Miami converted a big third down on the possession to improve to 5 for 8 on third-down conversions. The Hurricanes are out-gaining the Rebels 230-108 yards, including 156 through the air from Carson Beck, who has thrown 14 touchdowns against only one interception through the last six-and-a-half games.

The Hurricanes have also run 39 plays compared to Ole Miss' 14.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 8:57 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Late 2Q: Miami 10, Ole Miss 10

Ole Miss put together a quick drive to tie the game on a 42-yard field goal from Lucas Carneiro.

The drive ate up 51 yards in only 2 minutes, 31 seconds. The drive was helped by a roughing-the-passer penalty.

The Rebels scored without star running back Kewan Lacy on the field. He apparently injured a hamstring on his 73-yard touchdown run earlier in the quarter.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 8:55 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy aggravated a hamstring on the 73-yard touchdown run to start the second quarter, according to ESPN broadcaster Laura Rutledge.

Lacy did not play on the Rebels' second possession of the second quarter, which ended with a game-tying field goal.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 8:50 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Mid 2Q: Miami 10, Ole Miss 7

Miami's plan is simple — and it's working: pound the ball on the ground, hit a few passes across the middle and slow the tempo to keep the ball out of Ole Miss' hands.

The Hurricanes capped a 15-play, 75-yard drive with CharMar Brown's four-yard touchdown run, in which he surfed over one of his offensive linemen to reach the end zone.

That drive burned 7 minutes, 41 seconds off the clock. Miami has held the ball for nearly 20 minutes in the first half. Ole Miss has had the ball for only 3:02. That's 34 Miami plays and only eight for the Rebels.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 8:32 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Early 2Q: Ole Miss 7, Ole Miss 3

All it takes is one play. Kewan Lacy just flipped the script with an explosive, 73-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter. The Rebels entered the second frame with minus-1 yard of offense but now suddenly has a 7-3 lead.

Lacy's running lane opened up with a beautiful combo block by Delando Townsend and Bryce Sanders on the left side. Townsend rolled off the combo block, flashing to his left to pick up another defender to create a gigantic hole on the iso play. Lacy did the rest, out-running the rest of the defense.

Miami's defense had not given up a run longer than 38 yards this season until that 73-yard explosion from Lacy.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 8:27 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

End 1Q: Miami 3, Ole Miss 0

Miami controlled the line of scrimmage and the clock, but its offense went backwards on its second possession and the Hurricanes were forced to punt in the final 30 seconds of the first quarter.

The Hurricanes picked up 84 yards compared to Ole Miss' minus-1. Miami ran 19 plays compared to Ole Miss' seven, and held the ball for 12:08 of the 15-minute quarter.

The Hurricanes had two costly penalties on their second possession. Remember, they had zero -- zero! -- penalties in the 24-14 victory against Ohio State last week in the quarterfinals.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 8:15 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Miami's defense has forced back-to-back, three-and-outs to start the game. The Rebels have been held to minus-3 yards, including 8 yards passing from Trinidad Chambliss. 

The Hurricanes played that last possession without defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr., but didn't appear to be negatively affected by his absence. He's been limited for most of the last half of the season with an ankle injury. 

The Hurricanes have one tackle for loss: a sack by linebacker Mohamed Toure.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 8:05 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Mid 1Q: Miami 3, Ole Miss 0

Miami kicker Carter Davis has given the Hurricanes the first lead of the night with a 38-yard field goal.

The Hurricanes played bully ball for most of the drive, but then came up short on third-and-2 when receiver Malachi Toney took a direct snap and tried to out-run the Ole Miss defense over the left side. There Hurricanes had been getting solid yardage between the tackles, and Carson Beck had plenty of time to throw on the possession.

Miami bled an impressive 6 minutes, 59 seconds off the clock on the 13-play, 44-yard drive. Mark Fletcher Jr. chewed up 17 yards on five runs and Beck scrambled for a six-yard gain. Beck was also 3 of 4 passing for 17 yards.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 7:58 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Miami prides itself on being the most "violent" team in college football. They've proven it here in the first four minutes, forcing Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss into an intentional grounding (and loss of down) and the offense paving the way as Mark Fletcher Jr. bullied his way to a first down on fourth-and-2 on the ensuing possession.

The Hurricanes are driving and are in the Rebels' territory with 10:49 remaining in the first quarter. 

[Jan 8, 2026 at 7:52 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Defensive tackle Ahmed Boten appeared to re-aggravate an ankle injury on the second play of the game and hobbled back to the sideline. He's a key piece in the middle of Miami's defense and is certainly a development worth tracking here as the game develops. He has 25 tackles, including 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss this season. He has missed two games.

[Jan 8, 2026 at 7:00 pm ET · John Talty]

It's hard to find a program that has handled the uniquely challenging circumstances better than Ole Miss.

Consider what Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding, athletic director Keith Carter and others have had to deal with in recent weeks. All the drama around whether the coaches following Lane Kiffin to LSU would be allowed to finish the playoff run.  A narrative that it was just a matter of time before Ole Miss' top players fled Oxford to join Kiffin at LSU. All of this while preparing for a Thursday semifinal against Miami and navigating an especially wild and active transfer portal.

How Ole Miss' roster, infrastructure emerged stronger on the other side of 'Portal King' Lane Kiffin's exit

John Talty

[Jan 8, 2026 at 6:45 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

The busiest coaching staff in college football is shorthanded and tired, frustrated and confused. But no one at Ole Miss is complaining.  

The Rebels play Miami in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday with a spot in the national championship game on the line. It's easily the biggest moment in the program's history, and yet another chapter from the most chaotic 40 days the school has ever endured.

The first domino fell more than a month ago, when Lane Kiffin went turncoat and bolted for LSU on the eve of the College Football Playoff, taking six assistants with him. Signing day came and went. Some LSU-bound assistants split time between the Tigers and Rebels, hopping private flights between Oxford and Baton Rouge. The transfer portal opened. Ole Miss kept winning -- twice -- in the playoff.

Hectic? Absolutely.

Continuity amid chaos: How Ole Miss thrived after Lane Kiffin's exit, staff turmoil to reach CFP semifinals

Brandon Marcello