The Miami Hurricanes fought through a penalty-filled night, a late targeting ejection that had Mario Cristobal fuming, and a fourth-quarter shootout to get past Ole Miss 31-27 on Thursday night in the Fiesta Bowl.
With 8:54 left in regulation, Miami defensive back Xavier Lucas was ejected for targeting after a hit on Ole Miss wide receiver Cayden Lee. Officials reviewed it and upheld the call, sending Lucas to the locker room and sending Miami fans and coaches into a full-blown protest.
Miami fans might not agree with this targeting call. pic.twitter.com/KmF4wCKgkX
— The Triple Option (@3xOptionShow) January 9, 2026
ESPN rules analyst Bill LeMonnier said Lucas "did have a launch" and described Lee as a defenseless player going to the ground, which is why the officials stayed with targeting after replay. Still, Cristobal lit up an official on the sideline, and many analysts blasted the rule and said the call should have been overturned.
Because the foul happened in the second half, the targeting disqualification carries into Miami's next game, meaning Lucas is lined up to miss the first half of the national title game unless an appeal process wipes out the carryover suspension.
ESPN rules analyst Bill Lemonnier, supporting a targeting call: "Definitely defenseless player. Strong hit to the head/neck area. This shouldn't take long."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 9, 2026
After review, there was no targeting.
Lemonnier then explained why the refs reached that conclusion. 🏈🦓🎙️ #CFP pic.twitter.com/VkkNSwgCji
And it wasn't just that one call. Miami was flagged 10 times for 74 yards, compared to four for 34 for Ole Miss. Even earlier, the officials had targeting in their pocket on a play involving Malachi Toney, before replay overturned it, which basically summed up the night for the refs.
Lucas' ejection helped set the stage for Ole Miss to grab a 19-17 lead on Lucas Carneiro's 21-yard field goal with 7:00 left, the Rebels' first lead since early in the second quarter.
After the targeting call, Miami answered with poise
Carson Beck didn't flinch. He hit Toney for a 36-yard touchdown with 5:04 left to put Miami back in front, 24-19. Ole Miss answered anyway, with Trinidad Chambliss finding Dae'Quan Wright for a 24-yard score, then converting the two-point try to Caleb Odom to take a 27-24 lead with 3:13 left.
Miami's last drive was partially fueled by a facemask penalty that helped keep it moving. Beck completed a couple big throws to Keelan Marion, and then got into the endzone on a 3-yard keeper with 18 seconds remaining to win it.
Beck finished 23 of 37 for 268 yards with two passing touchdowns and an interception, plus the game-winning rushing score. Marion went for 114 yards and a touchdown on seven catches, while Toney had five catches for 81 yards and the huge fourth-quarter TD. Miami also won the time of possession battle, holding the ball for more than 41 minutes.
Ole Miss got its biggest punch early, when Kewan Lacy ripped a 73-yard touchdown run, and he finished with 103 rushing yards on 11 carries. Chambliss threw for 237 yards and a touchdown, but Miami made him earn everything — even without their usual pass rush.
The Hurricanes are now one win away from being national champions
Now it's on to Miami Gardens. The College Football Playoff title game will be Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium, and Miami will face the winner of Indiana-Oregon.