Starting quarterback Carson Beck navigates a surreal journey to his first National Championship as the Miami Hurricanes' leader, aiming for a historic victory.
As the Miami Hurricanes are hours away from playing in their first National Championship game in over two decades, it will be the third time for Cason Beck in his six-year career. However, this will be a different experience as he's the starting quarterback.
"It feels awesome," Beck said at Media Day on Saturday. "To finally be the guy, the quarterback, part of a team that's done this, gone through a season, and eventually earned the opportunity to play in the National Championship, it's a dream of mine."
Mario Cristobal and the coaching staff have relied on the 23-year-old's experience, which has paid off throughout the College Football Playoffs. The numbers might not pop, but Beck's impact has been undeniable, especially in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl semifinals against the Ole Miss Rebels. He completed 23 of 37 passes, 62.2 percent, for 268 yards, recording three total touchdowns, including rushing in for the game-winner.
The Hurricanes have an opportunity to win the biggest prize in college football in their own home stadium, which has never happened throughout the Bowl Championship Series/College Football Playoff era, from 1998 to the present.
Regardless, this was the goal set by Beck and the team from the start.
"It is our ultimate goal to be in this game," he added. "To win this game. Having been a part of teams that have done it, won all the way, being back in this moment is pretty surreal."
The performance of the redshirt senior is going to be critical for the Hurricanes to be victorious, making the right reads and limiting turnovers. As much as the run game has been successful, the Indiana Hoosiers have one of the best rushing defenses in the nation.
However, the case was similar against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals and the Hurricanes finished with 153 total rushing yards.
Beck has an opportunity to end his collegiate career with one of the greatest comebacks in history. After suffering a UCL injury, fast forward a year, and competing for a National Championship would be a marvelous sendoff.
"This year has been unbelievable," he said. "It's been a bumpy road, a roller coaster, and through every moment, I'm truly grateful and thankful that this year has happened. I wouldn't be the person that I am today. Without all the experiences of this year, everything that I went through, the rehab, learning more about myself, doing a lot of soul searching, looking in the mirror and reflecting on who I am, who I want to be, without all these different situations, scenarios, moments, none of this would've come into fruition."
The Hurricanes took a great chance on Beck, but for him to add a sixth National Championship to the program would be the greatest "Thank you" card.
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