The semi-finals of the College Football Playoffs started Thursday night in Phoenix, Arizona, where the Fiesta Bowl determines the first team to earn a spot in the national title game between two teams who were the lone representatives of their conferences, the Miami Hurricanes of the ACC and the Ole Miss Rebels of the SEC.
Miami Hurricanes Advance to the National Championship
Miami keeps the Ole Miss offense off the field
The Hurricanes set the tone early, not by a big, explosive touchdown play or turnover, but by keeping the ball out of Trinidad Chambliss’s hands and not letting the Ole Miss offense play with pace. At the 7:09 mark of the second quarter, Ole Miss had run eight total plays on offense and held the ball for just over three minutes. By halftime, Chambliss had only 14 pass attempts and 71 passing yards; Miami used its ability to bring pressure to keep Chambliss out of rhythm and force him to throw the ball away to avoid sacks. Despite the dominance of Miami, they couldn’t build a big lead.
Miami dominated the time of possession battle throughout the game, holding a 23-minute advantage over the Rebels. The long drives for Miami turned out to be their best defense against Chambliss and the Charlie Weis Jr called offense.
Kewan Lacy finds an explosive play
It was clear in the first quarter that Miami would rely on putting pressure on the quarterback and leaving the second level of the field vulnerable. Rebels running back Kewan Lacy exploited this pressure and managed to score. Lacy broke through between blockers in the middle of the field and found open space for a 73-yard rushing touchdown that gave Ole Miss the lead for the moment.
Ole Miss defense falls asleep before the half
With Ole Miss electing to receive the ball on the opening kick, it was crucial that they didn’t let Miami find the endzone before the half. Spoiler: They still let Miami find the endzone before the half, off a busted coverage from the Rebels’ secondary that left Canes receiver Keelan Marion wide open for a 52-yard touchdown catch, giving the Canes their 17th points of the night.
Lucas Carneiro Kept the Rebels Alive
Lucas Carneiro has been a weapon for this Rebels team all postseason, and it didn’t stop tonight. Carneiro hit four field goals on the night, with two of them being from 50 yards or more. His longest was his first of the night, a 58-yard bomb that was good as soon as it left the ground. Carneiro’s scores were timely; he kept Ole Miss in the game in moments where the momentum could’ve swung against them. He was especially needed to end the first half, cutting Miami’s lead to just four. He also gave Ole Miss the lead in the fourth quarter with seven minutes left in the game after the Rebels weren’t able to score a touchdown.
Chambliss shines down the stretch
When Miami’s freshman standout wide receiver Malachi Toney scored on a screen play to give Miami the lead again, it seemed like a back-breaker moment at the time. But then came Chambliss, who stayed calm under pressure and moved down the field with purpose. Chambliss flashed moments of his legendary Sugar Bowl performance against Georgia as he evaded Miami’s pass rush and gained 19 yards on a scramble run. He then threw a 24-yard pass to tight end Dae’Quan Wright for a score, followed by a two-point conversion that gave the Rebels a 27-24 lead.
Miami Responds and Carson Beck closes the show with his legs
Of all the ways Miami could’ve scored and stolen this game, Carson Beck’s rushing touchdown might’ve been the most unlikely prediction. After driving methodically down the field, finding receivers down the middle of the field and on the sideline, Beck scrambled out of pressure himself and was all alone on the left side of the endzone as he gave Miami the game-winning touchdown.
The ending was fitting for how the fourth quarter played out; there were four lead changes in the fourth quarter alone, and it felt like the heavyweight fight fans were expecting from the jump.
Ole Miss will be back
It’s heartbreak for Chambliss and the Ole Miss program, who looked to be playing with a new sense of grit and inspiration after former head coach Lane Kiffin departed. The team stepped up across the board and, despite losing tonight, still had the best season in school history and showed the world they’re for real, with or without Kiffin.
Lacy will return for the Rebels next season, while Chambliss is likely out of eligibility and will pursue the NFL. Head coach Pete Golding has shown they’re ready for the job. This Rebels team will be must-see TV next season.
Main Image: Lauren Witte/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
