The Miami Hurricanes battle the Ole Miss Rebels in a Vrbo Fiesta Bowl showdown. A historic run culminates in a playoff semifinal clash, with home-field advantage on the line.
Glendale, AZ - It was officially game time as the Miami Hurricanes sought to punch their ticket to the National Championship game, which would take place on their home field. However, a victory over the Ole Miss Rebels had to come first. Both programs are on a historic run through these College Football Playoffs, but for one of them, it would stop in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl semifinals.
Another great case of opponents who cancel each other out. The Rebels are known for quick offense, while the Hurricanes' defense has dominated for the majority of the year. This matchup could come down to the last possession. Regardless, both sides defied the odds and deserve recognition for history, but it won't matter without completing the goal.
It was time for kickoff, the Rebels won the coin toss and chose to start the game offensively. It was a sign of wanting to throw the first punch. However, the drive was short-lived, capped by a sack from linebacker Mohamed Toure on quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
It was the Hurricanes' turn with the football and the goal was to establish the run. Mark Fletcher Jr. wasted no time, rushing five times for 17 yards, but it was only good enough for a field goal, which kicker Carter Davis converted from 38 yards.
The Hurricanes were the first to punch the scoreboard, ending the first quarter with a 3-0 score, following a couple of drives ending in punts.
However, the Rebels' offense picked up where it's been all year. Chambliss handed the ball to running back Kewan Lac, who rushed for 73 yards and found the endzone. It was the first time the Hurricanes were trailing in these College Football Playoffs. However, a chance to respond was upon them.
Beck continued to go to Fletcher Jr., but made a critical, explosive pass to tight end Elija Lofton for 15 yards. Afterwards, it was running back CharMar Brown who finished the drive with a touchdown, regaining the lead for the Hurricanes, 10-3.
Despite a slow start, the Rebels' offense continued to surge as it went back on the field, especially as Chambliss found wide receiver Harrison Wallace III for 20 yards. Despite the benefit of a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty on the Hurricanes, they were unable to capitalize and had to settle for a field goal, which was good by kicker Lucas Carneiro from 42 yards, tying the game.
However, that didn't last long as Beck made a marvelous throw, finding veteran wide receiver Keelan Marion for a 52-yard touchdown. Heading into halftime, the score was 17-13, following a converted field goal by Carneiro from 58 yards.
The third quarter started with a sequence of missed field goals by both teams, despite a couple of electrifying games. However, there was a moment of breath-holding as Beck was intercepted by safety Kapena Gushiken after the initial pass was tipped. It's also worth noting that it was a third-and-12 situation, following a false start penalty by offensive lineman Anez Cooper, and within field goal range. However, the Hurricanes stepped off the field without points.
The Rebels concluded the third quarter with another 50-plus-yard field goal made by Carneiro, after a couple of explosive plays, such as a 17-yard catch from wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling to begin the drive. The score was 17-16.
The Hurricanes were on the brink of collapsing, which is what happened to begin the fourth quarter. Despite a couple of strong runs by Fletcher Jr., Beck was sacked twice on consecutive snaps, leaving the field without points once again.
The Rebels could smell blood and see an opportunity to regain control of the game. Chambliss threw the ball to wide receiver Cayden Lee, who caught it for 11 yards, plus a targeting penalty on cornerback Xavier Lucas, which resulted in his ejection. However, the Hurricanes' defense held strong and forced them to settle for another field goal, in which Carneiro converted from 21 yards.
A response was desperately needed, as Fletcher Jr. broke through, running for 17 yards. Afterwards, Beck found freshman star wide receiver for a 36-yard touchdown, shifting the score to 24-19. It was a familiar situation in the first round against the Texas A&M Aggies; the only difference was that the Rebels had more than five minutes of regulation.
Following a couple of explosive plays, Chambliss found tight end Dae'Quan Wright in the end zone, and a successful two-point conversion by tight end Caleb Odom, the score was 27-24. The Hurricanes needed the score; a field goal would only send the game to overtime.
They caught a break on a third-and-eight situation, with a 15-yard penalty against the Rebels due to a face mask. It gave the Hurricanes life and the team took advantage of it, as Beck faked the throw and ran for the game-winning touchdown. The two-time National Champion left it all on the field, leading the team to victory, after a final score of 31-27.
It's officially the first time in the Bowl Championship Series/College Football Playoff era, from 1998 to present, that a team will play for a National Championship in its home stadium. The program is experiencing a massive turnaround from a couple of years ago, from being ineligible for a bowl game to competing to rule over all of college football.
Beck completed 23 of 37 passes, 62.2 percent, for 268 yards, recording three total touchdowns. The 23-year-old was named the Offensive Player of the Game.
Marlon was outstanding, catching seven passes for 114 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown.
Safety Jakobe Thomas led the defense with five total tackles, five solos, and two passes defended. The 22-year-old was named the Defensive Player of the Game.
The Hurricanes await the winner of the Oregon Ducks-Indiana Hoosiers matchup in the Peach Bowl semifinals, which will take place tonight, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN.
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