4 Takeaways From Miami’s CFP Semifinal Win Over Ole Miss

[ad_1] Carson Beck got here to Miami for a second like this.

The senior quarterback, who transferred from Georgia final offseason, rushed for a 3-yard landing with 18 seconds left to elevate the No. 10-ranked Hurricanes to a 31-27 win over No. 6 Ole Miss instantly traditional on the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday evening.

Now, Beck and the Hurricanes will compete for this system's first nationwide championship since back-to-back title recreation appearances in 2001 and 2002. Miami shall be looking for its sixth nationwide title, and this one could possibly be additional particular on condition that the sport simply so occurs to be at Laborious Rock Stadium in Miami.

"You reside for moments like these," Beck advised the printed after the sport.

Listed here are my takeaways from Miami’s wild Fiesta Bowl semifinal win over Ole Miss:

1. Carson Beck delivered when it mattered most

Carson Beck #11 of the Miami Hurricanes scores a landing in opposition to the Ole Miss Rebels within the fourth quarter through the 2025 Faculty Soccer Playoff Semifinal. The Hurricanes defeated the Rebels 31-27. (Picture by Christian Petersen/Getty Photos)

With 24 seconds on the clock and Miami trailing Ole Miss by three, Beck dropped again and moved across the pocket earlier than seeing area on the left facet and working into the tip zone. It was his first speeding rating for Miami since a Week 3 win over South Florida.

The rating capped a 15-play drive — Miami’s fourth possession of no less than 13 performs — that showcased Beck’s endurance and poise. Miami transformed three third downs on the march and picked up one other first down by way of an Ole Miss penalty. All the standard suspects delivered in these remaining moments, particularly vast receiver Keelan Marion, who made catches of 8, 17 and 11 yards on the drive.

"It’s the most effective feeling I’ve ever had in my life," Beck advised the printed after the sport when requested how he felt scoring the profitable TD. "Man, I’m so pleased with this group. We by no means flinched. After we needed to reply, we responded."

There was 3:13 left within the recreation when that remaining Miami drive began. Earlier than taking the sphere, Beck rallied his offense on the sideline.

"I advised them, ‘We’ve received three minutes for the remainder of our lives,’" Beck stated. "'Nothing else issues. We’ve received three minutes to do that. All of the adversity we’ve confronted comes right down to the ultimate three minutes.'

"And shoot, we had been in a position to end it."

2. It regarded like Miami was down and out

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal reacts after a play as Jakobe Thomas #8 seems to be on within the fourth quarter through the 2025 Faculty Soccer Playoff Semifinal. (Picture by Christian Petersen/Getty Photos)

Miami was the extra bodily group from begin to end, however self-inflicted errors saved Ole Miss inside placing distance deep into the sport. A missed discipline aim within the third quarter was adopted moments later by a Beck interception that stalled a promising drive. At that time, Miami led simply 17–13, and Ole Miss capitalized on the following possession with a discipline aim to chop the deficit to at least one.

The Hurricanes needed to overcome 10 penalties and a protection that dropped 4 would-be interceptions. Miami defensive standouts Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor didn't document a sack or sort out for loss after being full menaces within the first two playoff video games in opposition to Texas A&M and Ohio State. Ole Miss discovered a approach to neutralize each of them, and it labored.

Moreover, Miami had the ball for 41 minutes and 22 seconds whereas Ole Miss maintained possession for 18 minutes and 38 seconds. The Rebels didn’t take a snap from contained in the crimson zone via three quarters, missed star working again Kewan Lacy for a part of the sport after he tweaked his hamstring following a 73-yard TD run, and struggled to transform on third down.

Regardless of all of that, the Rebels had been nonetheless within the recreation, trailing by one getting into the fourth quarter.

3. Malachi Toney and Mark Fletcher Jr. are the true deal

Miami vast receiver Malachi Toney runs into the tip zone in opposition to Ole Miss within the fourth quarter through the 2025 Faculty Soccer Playoff Semifinal. (Picture by Christian Petersen/Getty Photos)

This isn’t precisely information to anybody, however Miami’s high playmakers confirmed out in opposition to the Rebels. Toney had 5 catches for 81 yards and a landing, whereas Fletcher rushed for 133 yards and exhausted the Rebels' protection.

Getting into the Fiesta Bowl, Toney had amassed 1,008 receiving yards and eight touchdowns this 12 months. Not unhealthy for a 180-pound freshman. Regardless of his slight body, Toney has confirmed all season how slippery and elusive he will be. He transformed a third-and-7 within the second quarter to increase a Miami landing drive and repeatedly drew defensive consideration, opening area for others. On the game-winning drive, that focus helped free Keelan Marion, who led all receivers with seven catches for 114 yards and a landing.

Fletcher, in the meantime, has been particularly harmful all through the CFP. Miami leaned on him late to shut out its first-round win over Texas A&M, and he adopted that with 19 carries for 90 yards in opposition to Ohio State’s vaunted protection. It felt like each time he touched the ball in opposition to Ole Miss, he ran for a giant chunk. Fletcher averaged 6.0 yards per carry, working with endurance and energy as he helped grind down the Rebels’ protection.

4. The Lane Kiffin saga ends

Ole Miss Rebels coach Lane Kiffin through the faculty soccer recreation between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. (Picture by Jason Homan/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)

Ole Miss gained two playoff video games and almost clinched a spot within the nationwide championship regardless of all of the drama surrounding this system. Kiffin, who spurred Ole Miss earlier than the CFP by leaving for LSU, couldn’t keep out of the headlines as his former group continued to have success with out him.

Following the Rebels’ upset win over Georgia within the quarterfinal, it was reported that a number of assistants who deliberate to comply with Kiffin to Baton Rouge wouldn't be capable of maintain teaching the group via the semifinals. Solely three assistants, together with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., could be allowed to stay at Ole Miss all through the CFP.

With all of that gossip swirling, the gamers nonetheless managed to win two playoff video games for the primary time in program historical past, and had been one play in need of making it to the title recreation.

4 ½: What’s subsequent?

Miami will face the winner of Friday evening’s Peach Bowl semifinal between Indiana and Oregon within the nationwide championship on Jan. 19.

Laken Litman covers faculty soccer, faculty basketball and soccer for FOX Sports activities. She is the writer of "Sturdy Like a Girl," printed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Observe her at @LakenLitman.

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