Three Stars: Miami vs Ole Miss

The Fiesta Bowl curse has been lifted! The Miami Hurricanes beat the Ole Miss Rebels tonight in the 2026 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, 31-27. The Canes will now return home to play for the 2026 National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium. It’s great to be a Miami Hurricane! I am fired up! Not sure how I am going to sleep tonight. What a night. What a game.

Let’s get to the three stars of the game.

1. Mario Cristobal

Coach Cristobal has his alma mater back where it should be: playing for national championships. Mario has done his best coaching job in his fourth season. This team is the epitome of its head coach. It is tough, relentless, and overcomes adversity. Miami played by far its worst game since their current win streak began back in early November. Still, our boys pulled it out in the end with great play on the field led by great coaching from the sideline. They made plays when it mattered most and that is Miami Hurricane football! Let’s go!

2. Marion, Toney, and Daniels

Miami’s wide receiver trio stepped up tonight. They were gigantic all game long for the offense. The run blocking was awesome. The playmaking was even better. CJ Daniels had 4 receptions for 26 yards, including a HUGE third-down conversion on the game-winning drive. Malachi Toney had 5 receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown, plus 2 carries for 11 yards. His third-down conversion in the first half fighting through tackles led to a touchdown that could have been a field goal or less. HUGE! Not to mention his sick catch-and-run touchdown in the fourth quarter. And then there’s Keelan Marion: 7 receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. Marion was Carson Beck’s go-to-guy today, especially on third down. Marion’s 52-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter was a big momentum shift. Incredible game from these guys tonight.

3. The defense

Yeah, they dropped roughly 17 interceptions, didn’t force a turnover, only got one sack, and got worked in the second half a few times. Still, to hold Ole Miss to 27 points and fewer total yards is pretty impressive. The first half chokehold by Miami’s offense ended up being huge in keeping Trinidad Chambliss off the field, despite the lack of points. Defensive Coordinator Corey Hetherman deserves a ton of credit again. He had his guys ready and in position to defend a high-powered offense. It wasn’t pretty, but I like how they played. I can barely function at this point. Miami won!

Honorable mention:

Carson Beck – 23-37 for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus the game-winning rushing touchdown. Can the Carson Beck haters say anything at this point?

Fletcher and Brown – Miami’s running backs were moving the pile tonight. Fletcher: 22 rushes for 133 yards, Brown: 14 rushes for 54 yards and a touchdown, plus 2 catches for 7 yards. I love our offensive backfield.

Who were your three stars of the game? Let us know in the comments below.

GO CANES!