Udynasty
Redshirt Freshman
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2012
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After 23 years, the Miami Hurricanes are back in the National Championship. The Canes, who before last night were 0–4 all-time in the Fiesta Bowl, managed two game-winning drives in the fourth quarter in an instant classic that saw them defeat #6 Ole Miss. Miami will now become the first team in the College Football Playoff era to host a National Championship game.
What this game showed is that this Canes team is full of heart. They are tough. They don’t break, even when it seems everything is falling apart.
For most of the game, the Canes dominated time of possession. They controlled the ball for over 22 minutes in the first half, yet only led 17–13 at halftime. It felt like all of Miami’s bad tendencies showed up: procedural penalties, defensive backs dropping what could have been two pick-sixes, and four dropped interceptions overall. Miami did everything possible to allow Ole Miss to hang around. It was reminiscent of the SMU/Louisville game.
Now the Canes were facing adversity in a game they were struggling to dominate. In a game where they allowed Kewan Lacy to rip off a 75-yard touchdown run, the longest run they had allowed all season. In a game where the nasty defensive line that had dominated Ohio State and Texas A&M could barely touch Trinidad Chambliss. Miami was sloppy, wasting opportunity after opportunity.
Nothing was more deflating than the third-quarter drive when the Canes marched 13 plays for 7:37, only for a tipped ball to turn into an interception in the red zone. Ole Miss was making the defensive plays. Shortly afterward, the Rebels added three more points, and Miami’s first drive of the fourth quarter ended in a punt. The Canes were unraveling.
Then Chambliss led the Rebels on a “Miami-esque” drive, 14 plays, 5:19 — that gave Ole Miss a 19–17 lead.
But this is what separates Playoff Miami from regular-season Miami.
The Canes are not the same team.
They refused to crumble. The procedural penalties stopped, and they dug in when adversity hit hardest. Carson Beck spread the ball around to Keelan Marion, who had a huge game (7 receptions, 114 yards, and a touchdown), C.J. Daniels, and Mark Fletcher, who ripped off a big 17-yard gain to put Miami in scoring range. Fletcher was dominant once again, finishing with 22 carries for 133 yards (6.0 YPC).
Then Beck hit Malachi Toney on a screen pass. Toney evaded multiple tackles, kept his balance while nearly falling, and scored a 36-yard touchdown to give Miami a 24–19 lead. Fearless football by Beck and the Canes. There was no hesitation, no panic only decisiveness. Beck and Dawson mixed the run and pass perfectly, getting the ball to their playmakers.
But Trinidad Chambliss showed once again why he is one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the nation. In less than two minutes, the Rebels went 75 yards, ending with a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dae’Quan Wright. Ole Miss converted the two-point conversion, and with 3:18 left, Miami trailed 27–24.
Three minutes remained. Beck could have folded. Miami could have tightened up.
Instead, Beck told the team that everything they had worked for all year came down to those three minutes and that they would score.
Conventional wisdom suggested running the ball, but Beck went to work from the pocket. Miami went no-huddle and converted four third downs on the drive. The Canes finished 11-of-19 on third down, while holding Ole Miss to just 2-of-10.
After a five-yard CharMar Brown gain set up first-and-goal, everyone expected Fletcher or Brown to finish the drive. Instead, Beck looked to pass and when nothing opened up, he tucked the ball and ran it into the end zone himself, letting out a primal scream.
Two championship-winning drives.
Each drive responding to a crushing body blow from Ole Miss.
A lesser team would have folded.
Not these Canes.
Beck had been mocked, labeled a choker, and criticized for months as an interception machine because of one bad game. He was tagged as someone who couldn’t be trusted in big moments. Yet against Ohio State, he delivered a critical 11-yard run that flipped momentum, followed by a masterclass fourth quarter, and now THIS.
Chambliss and Ole Miss had one final chance with 18 seconds left. They got close enough to attempt a Hail Mary into the end zone, but it was broken up and Miami survived.
In a game filled with procedural penalties and mental errors. In a game where Ahmad Moten was injured and Akheem Mesidor went down for a key stretch. In a game where true freshman cornerback Jaboree Antoine had to step in after Xavier Lucas was ejected for targeting. In a game where Miami dropped every interception opportunity and lost a late lead after squandering countless chances, in a game where the OL allowed FOUR SACKS, 5 TFL and saw Ole Miss with SIX PDs Miami found the resolve of a champion.
Even more impressive, Coach Cristobal revealed after the game that half the team was battling the flu. Miami was weakened. They were not at their best. But they made no excuses. They kept playing. They kept fighting.
And now the Canes have made history:
Three playoff winsTwo New Year’s Six bowl victories (Fiesta Bowl, Cotton Bowl)First 13-win season in program history
Second program ever to win all six New Year’s Six bowls (joining Texas)7–0 against ranked teams4–0 against Top-10 opponentsFirst team in CFP history to host a National Championship at homeYes, this was an instant-classic Fiesta Bowl. But more than that, it showed the Canes have the heart of a champion. They are not soft. They are not quitters. The next-man-up mentality was on full display, a team willing to drag you into deep waters and do whatever it takes to win.
Miami is back.
Back in the National Championship game.
Back to elite status.
One win away from immortality and from capping off one of the greatest seasons in program history. Whether it’s against the 14-0 #1 Indiana Hoosiers or #5 Oregon, Mario Cristobal’s former team, one thing is clear:
Miami is not afraid.
Miami will be ready.
The season ends the way it began with the Miami Hurricanes playing a massive game against a top opponent at Hard Rock Stadium.
Spot the ball.
1-0.
#GoCanes #CFBPlayoff #fiestabowl