How Miami’s Unstoppable Ball Control Shattered Fiesta Bowl Records and Left Fans Stunned

Miami’s march to the national title game was anything but a stroll in the park — it was a rollercoaster, a tightrope walk with Ole Miss breathing down their neck throughout that raucous Fiesta Bowl. Ever seen a team snatch momentum back like a cat with nine lives? That’s exactly what the Hurricanes did, repeatedly snapping the Rebels’ hopes with clutch strikes when it counted most. And just when you thought the drama had peaked in that insane, 25-point fourth quarter fireworks show, Carson Beck, with ice in his veins, orchestrated a 75-yard, last-gasp touchdown drive to seal the deal. Talk about making history—Miami etched their name into the College Football Playoff annals with not one, but two 15-play drives scoring in a single game! But here’s a cheeky question: can sheer ball control and relentless patience be the ultimate game-changer, or was it just that Miami magic sprinkling its charm over State Farm Stadium? Either way, what a spectacle — a gritty, gutsy showcasing of football mastery that sent shockwaves far beyond the turf. LEARN MORE.

Miami is moving on to the national title game after a thrilling win over Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl. Miami (FL) football maintained control throughout Thursday night’s back-and-forth matchup. Each time the Rebels appeared to capture the momentum, the Hurricanes responded with a clutch score.

The game came down to a wild, 25-point fourth quarter that featured four lead changes. With just over three minutes remaining, Dae’Quan Wright’s 24-yard touchdown grab put the Rebels up 27-24. But Miami would answer with the game-winning score.

Carson Beck led the team on a 75-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter. The ‘Canes QB crossed the plane with 18 seconds remaining, as Miami took a 31-27 lead. Beck’s rushing TD capped the Hurricane’s second 15-play drive of the night. Miami became the first team in College Football Playoff history with multiple 15-play scoring drives in a game, per SEC Network’s Cole Cubelic.

Miami dominates time of possession in CFP semifinal win

Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) rushes the ball against the Mississippi Rebels in the second half during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. — Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

In addition to the two 15-play drives, Miami also had two 13-play drives in the Fiesta Bowl. Three Hurricanes possessions lasted longer than seven minutes. And the impact was predictable.

Miami dominated time of possession on Thursday. The Hurricanes had the ball for a whopping 41:22 in the CFP semifinal. Ole Miss did all its damage in 18:38 of game time.

After an uneventful opening quarter, the Rebels’ offense awoke. Kewan Lacy exploded for a 73-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter. The teams would combine for five scoring drives in the quarter and Miami took a 17-13 lead into halftime.

The Rebels had an opportunity to take advantage of the Hurricanes’ miscues after the break. Miami missed a 51-yard FG and Beck threw an interception from Ole Miss’ 24-yard line. But the Rebels could only muster a field goal to make it a 17-16 game.

Ole Miss finally took the lead on a field goal midway through the fourth quarter. But Miami answered with a quick-strike drive as Beck found Malachi Toney for a 36-yard touchdown. Trinidad Chambliss tossed his only score of the game to put the Rebels up 27-24. But, once again, the Hurricanes responded as Beck marched the team down the field and punched the ball in to send Miami to the national title game.

The post Miami’s ball dominance in Fiesta Bowl win sets new CFP record appeared first on ClutchPoints.