Andrea AdelsonJan 8, 2026, 11:49 PM ETClose ACC reporter. Joined ESPN.com in 2010. Graduate of the University of Florida.Follow on X
Miami tops Ole Miss in Fiesta Bowl classic to reach title game (1:45)Miami takes the lead with 18 seconds remaining to defeat Ole Miss and book a spot in the College Football Playoff championship game. (1:45)
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Teams are told to never look ahead. But nobody could blame the Miami football team for peeking toward the future before the season even started.
“When I saw everybody running field, it felt like a dream, like I was waiting on somebody to wake me up or something,” said linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, a Miami native who began his career when Cristobal took over the program in 2022. “I’m a Miami guy, so playing in front of my peers, from where I’m from? It’s going to mean everything.”
What unfolded was a wild fourth quarter that featured four lead changes in the final seven minutes. With Miami legends Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis, Gino Torretta, Edgerrin James and others watching from the sideline, the Hurricanes scored on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Beck to dynamic freshman Malachi Toney with 5:04 remaining to retake a 24-19 lead.
But Trinidad Chambliss led Ole Miss right back down the field, aided in part by a pass interference penalty the officials called on Miami on a third-down incompletion — a flashback to the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, when a disputed pass interference cost Miami the national title. Chambliss threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Dae’Quan Wright with 3:13 remaining to pull the Rebels back ahead.
“It almost seems like the tougher it gets, the better we play,” Cristobal said. “And it’s a testament to them, to their resilience, and their will.”
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson called what Beck has done “an epic story.” It was one year ago that Beck agreed to transfer to Miami, with an elbow injury that kept him out of practice until fall camp began.
“He deserved that moment,” Dawson said. “It was up to him to rise up and take it, and he did. It probably silenced a lot of critics.”
With Miami in the lead, Lewis looked toward the crowd and raised his arms, pumping up the raucous Miami fans. When it was all over and the final seconds ticked off, the alums celebrated with the players — present and past, all with shared purpose. A brotherhood forged through difficult moments, like the one Miami persevered through Thursday night.
“It has been a long time coming. Once Coach Cristobal got here, we brought back the old Miami ways,” James said. “To get into the playoffs and then end up in the championship in Miami — there’s nothing better than that. It’s laid out for us.”
“We always knew we were special, and we knew if they let us in [the playoff], that a lot of teams were going to be in trouble,” Bissainthe said.
Miami tops Ole Miss in Fiesta Bowl classic to reach title game (1:45)Miami takes the lead with 18 seconds remaining to defeat Ole Miss and book a spot in the College Football Playoff championship game. (1:45)
Miami takes the lead with 18 seconds remaining to defeat Ole Miss and book a spot in the College Football Playoff championship game. (1:45)
What was once a dream is now reality after a thrilling 31-27 win over Ole Miss on Thursday night in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl behind an inspired effort from quarterback Carson Beck and a coach who has made it his relentless mission to restore a proud Miami legacy.
He calmly led a 15-play, 75-yard drive — ending with a 3-yard touchdown run.
Close ACC reporter. Joined ESPN.com in 2010. Graduate of the University of Florida.Follow on X
