The Miami Hurricanes are heading back to the National Championship game for the first time since 2003 and are hoping to win it all for the first time since 2001. It was a back-and-forth game that had each fanbase biting their nails off, but it ended in favor of the Hurricanes.
The fourth quarter was the most exciting part of the game as both teams traded touchdowns, with Ole Miss taking a three-point lead with 3:13 left on the clock. Miami needed a perfect final drive in order to either tie the game or take the lead, and quarterback Carson Beck, respectively, didn't want to see his kicker, Carter Davis, trotting out for a field goal attempt.
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson had caught a lot of flak on social media throughout the game for some of the play calls he made, but now fans will have to owe him an apology after the 31-27 win over Ole Miss.
Miami fans owe Shannon Dawson an apology after perfect final drive
Many fans agreed was coming down on Dawson throughout the game, including ESPN football analyst Booger McFarland. His post on social media was actually on the nicer side of things, as some fans were ripping Dawson a new one.
Shannon Dawson u my friend have made 2 terrible play calls. The Toney wildcat play and the flea flicker on that drive. Just keep running the ball
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) January 9, 2026
Those fans certainly owe Dawson an apology. While he didn't always call the run at the right time, he certainly did when it mattered most. Dawson also got fancy with some of his passing play calls. However, nothing was better than Beck scrambling for the go-ahead touchdown to take the lead and send Miami to the Championship.
The job is not finished, though, as the Hurricanes will now turn their attention to the second Semifinal game tomorrow night to see who they will face in the National Championship. It will be either Oregon or Indiana that Miami will face on Monday, January 19, in Hard Rock Stadium, home to the Miami Hurricanes.