Miami FL x Ole Miss 17 x 13 at halftime of the College Playoff semifinal in a vibrant clash in Arizona

Miami Hurricanes ended the first half of the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal with a tight 17-13 advantage over Ole Miss Rebels. The match, which defines one of the finalists for the national championship, takes place at State Farm Stadium, at Glendale, Arizona, with excitement and twists and turns.

From the start, the match was intense, with moments of individual brilliance and bold offensive strategies on both sides. The dispute for a place in the grand final keeps the tension high, promising an even more decisive second half for both teams.

The teams are seeking their first appearance in the CFP Finals, adding considerable historical weight to each play. College football fans closely follow each move, as expectations grow for the opponent of Indiana or Oregon, who will face each other in the other semifinal.

First half highlights and partial score

The first quarter was dominated by Miami, who opened the scoring with a field goal, keeping Ole Miss scoreless. Os Hurricanes were aggressive from the start, opting for a fourth down and two yards in their first offensive campaign, a clear demonstration of their stance in the game.

Miami’s defense proved impenetrable in the opening of the game, limiting Rebels to negative yards on the ground and just eight aerial yards, forcing two consecutive punts. Já in the second quarter, Ole Miss responded with an explosive 73-yard run from running back Kewan Lacy, turning the score around. Miami, however, didn’t take long to respond, with a long pass from Carson Beck and a touchdown from CharMar “Marty” Brown, securing the lead at halftime.

Crucial plays and individual performances

Kicker Lucas Carneiro, from Ole Miss, stood out with an impressive 58-yard field goal, demonstrating his accuracy in moments of high pressure. Carneiro had already converted kicks of 55 and 56 yards in previous playoff games, cementing his reputation as a long throw specialist.

On Miami’s side, quarterback Carson Beck presented a notable change in offensive strategy, risking more deep passes. Ele threw a 52-yard bomb to Keelan Marion, putting Hurricanes ahead again, and completed five passes of more than ten yards, surpassing their previous playoff record.

Other players also shined, like Malachi Toney, who broke a tackle and secured a crucial first down for Miami. CharMar Brown, in turn, converted a difficult play into a touchdown, showing resilience and running ability even under heavy marking. Kewan Lacy’s 73-yard run was a spectacle of blocks and speed, leaving the opposing defense behind.

First half challenges and statistics

Ole Miss struggled significantly on third downs, converting none of his five attempts in the first half. Essa’s inability to extend offensive campaigns limited the team’s possession of the ball and allowed Miami to maintain pressure.

Miami, on the other hand, racked up four penalties that totaled 34 yards, in contrast to Ole Miss’s two penalties and four yards. Essas fouls, at crucial moments, allowed Rebels to remain in the game, minimizing the advantage that Hurricanes could have built.

Possession of the ball was a determining factor, with Miami controlling the clock for 22 minutes and 44 seconds, while Ole Miss had the ball for just 7 minutes and 16 seconds. Although Embora’s long run skewed the statistics to Ole Miss, Miami’s dominance in possession time reflected his ability to control the pace of the match.

A concern for Ole Miss is the physical condition of Kewan Lacy, who did not return to the field after his 73-yard run. Sua potential absence in the second half could significantly impact the offensive capacity of Rebels, who depend on their explosiveness in the ground attack.

Historical confrontation and environment of Fiesta Bowl

This game marks the first meeting between Miami and Ole Miss since 1951, adding a layer of historic rivalry to the CFP semifinal. The match is played at State Farm Stadium, at Glendale, Arizona, known for its retractable grass pitch, despite being an indoor stadium.

Both teams have experience on natural grass pitches, with Ole Miss recording 11 wins in 12 games on this surface this season, and Miami with 10 wins in 12 matches. Curiosamente, Miami have a 0-4 record in Fiesta Bowls, making this game a chance to break a taboo and advance in the competition.

In the pre-game, the coin toss was won by Ole Miss, who chose to receive the ball. Quanto to the uniforms, Ole Miss chose the powder-powder-white combination, with which they have an undefeated 3-0 record. Miami wore white-white-white, a combination that gave him four wins in four recent games, creating a scenario where one of the streaks would be broken.

Road to the final and questions for the decisive stage

The second half will bring with it several issues to be observed, such as the possible return of Kewan Lacy to the field. Miami’s ability to reduce his penalties will be crucial, as will Ole Miss’s ability to finally convert his third downs, a clear weakness in the first half.

Controlling Miami’s possession time will also be a key factor, as it can dictate the pace of the game and limit Rebels’s offensive opportunities. Ole Miss has already demonstrated in other playoff matches its ability to turn games around after being at a disadvantage at half-time, recovering against Florida and Georgia. Miami, meanwhile, has a strong record of leading at halftime, winning 10 of 11 games in those conditions, with the only loss coming in overtime against SMU. The winner will advance to face the winner of Peach Bowl, which brings together Indiana and Oregon.

Experience of quarterbacks and running backs

Quarterbacks Carson Beck, from Miami, and Trinidad Chambliss, from Ole Miss, bring with them different experiences. Beck, formerly of Georgia, has a 1-1 record against Ole Miss in his college career, averaging 246 passing yards and a 50% completion rate.

Chambliss, meanwhile, is a household name in the college football postseason, having led Universidade Estadual of Ferris of Divisão II to a national championship the year before. In the DII semifinal in 2024, he had an impressive performance with passes and runs.

Miami running back CharMar Brown also has championship experience, leading the Divisão I FCS North Dakota State team to the national title last year. Ele was recognized with Prêmio Jerry Rice as FCS Rookie of the Year, highlighting the talent and experience of big games among the athletes on the field.