The Miami Hurricanes and Ole Miss Rebels set off for an intense college football game. Miami was coming off a dominant and hard fought win against Ohio State, and likewise, Ole Miss was coming off a hard fought win against Georgia. This game was highly anticipated, and no one knew who would come out as the victor of this game. This game was played on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. To start, Ole Miss elected to receive the opening kickoff and got the ball first. Miami’s elite defense came out hot, forcing Ole Miss to punt on the opening drive. Miami got a decent drive going and drove down and kicked a field goal, making the score 3-0. Ole Miss then received the ball, and on the second play from scrimmage, top running back Kyren Lacy got a 70 plus yard run into the endzone to make the score 7-3. Miami received the ball and got an excellent drive going, and running back CharMar Brown got a short rushing touchdown to make the score 10-7. Ole Miss received the ball again, and drove down the field, kicking a long field goal to tie the score at 10-10. Before halftime, Miami drove down, and quarterback Carson Beck, threw a deep shot to Keelon Marrion to make the score 17-10. With 40 seconds to go in the half, Ole Miss drove down the field as well and kicked another deep field goal to make the score 17-13.

To enter the next half, Miami got the ball, and drove down the field. Miami, however, ended up throwing an interception thanks to a tipped pass to give Ole Miss the ball back in their territory. Ole Miss drove down and kicked a field goal to make the score 17-16. Miami got the ball and couldn’t get any plays going, punting the ball back to Ole Miss. Ole Miss got to the redzone, but Miami’s defense got a stop, forcing Ole Miss to kick a field goal, making the score 19-17. Miami then got the ball. On second and eleven, Miami threw a screen pass to elite freshman Malachi Toney, and he ran into the endzone for a thirty yard touchdown. With the score being 24-19, Ole Miss had to put points up or the game was likely over. Ole Miss ended up doing just that, going down the field for an eventual touchdown catch by Ole Miss’ tight end, making the score 25-24. Ole Miss went for the two point conversion, and ended up getting it to make the score 27-24. Miami had to drive down and score or their playoff run would be over. With the game on the line, Carson Beck rushed in the endzone to make the score 31-27. Ole Miss, with 30 seconds to go, drove down the field, and on the last play of the game, threw a deep pass but couldn’t convert.

Most St. Thomas Aquinas students felt loyal to the Florida team, and wanted Miami to win. Junior,Nicholas Bailey said he wanted Ole Miss to win because their head coach left them before the playoffs, and he wanted to see an underdog story. His favorite moment was the Kewan Lacy rushing touchdown. Junior, Jackson Leimberger said he wanted Miami to win, because it’s local. His favorite moment was the game-winning, Carson Beck rushing touchdown. Miami will now take on Indiana University, who is led by Heisman-winner and Miami-native Fernando Mendoza, in the College Football Championship which is coincidentally at Miami’s home-field, Hard Rock Stadium.