Miami loses another key contributor as in-game injuries are starting to pile up

It's been a very physical first half in the desert tonight as Miami has a 17-10 over Ole Miss late in the first half of the CFP semifinal in the Fiesta Bowl. The Hurricanes, however, have paid the price for their success with some injuries, and now you can add sophomore tight end Elija Lofton to the list.

Lofton got injured after taking a hard hit from Ole Miss safety Wydett Williams Jr. on a 15-yard reception. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound athlete from Las Vegas took the hit and held on to the ball, but went straight to the sidelines and was eventually carted off. 

Lofton is the Hurricanes' primary pass-catching tight end in their twin tight end sets with Alex Bauman, who is more of the blocker. Coming into tonight's game, he had 22 receptions for 203 yards and three touchdowns. 

Miami has already lost starting defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr., who started after being declared a game-time decision, but he only lasted two plays before he was forced to leave the game. Freshman star wide receiver Malachi Toney has also spent some time in the tent after taking a shot to the head on a catch that was surprisingly not ruled as targeting. Toney, however, was able to return to the game after missing only a couple of snaps.

Everyone has a role in the Fiesta Bowl

Carson Beck is having his best game of the College Football Playoffs so far. The sixth-year senior has completed passes to eight different receivers through one half, including a pass to Bauman, who will now assume both roles as the tight end in Miami's offense.

The big play for the Hurricanes came with 2:13 remaining in the first half when Beck connected with a wide open Keelan Marion on a 52-yard score to give the Hurricanes a 17-10 lead. Marion has four catches for 78 yards in the half and is approaching his best numbers of the season.