Malachi Toney delivered clutch fourth-quarter heroics, but Ole Miss pulled off a dramatic upset. The true freshman caught a 36-yard touchdown screen pass with just 5 minutes, 4 seconds left in the Fiesta Bowl to put Miami ahead 24-19. Yet the Rebels found one last gear in this College Football Playoff semifinal thriller that ended with heartbreak for the Hurricanes.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Final Score: Ole Miss 27, Miami 24, College Football Playoff Semifinal
- Toney’s TD: 36-yard screen pass with 5:04 left in 4th quarter
- Game Location: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 8, 2026
- Season Stats: Toney now has nine receiving touchdowns as a freshman for Miami
Freshman Sensation Delivers But Falls Short
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Malachi Toney was silent for three quarters, held in check by the Ole Miss defense. He had just 2 carries for 11 yards and 4 catches for 45 yards before the fourth quarter. But in a playoff semifinal, clutch matters more than consistency.
When Carson Beck handed him that screen pass on second down, Toney took off like someone with a national championship on the line. He weaved through defenders, broke tackles, and sprinted 36 yards into the end zone. The Hurricanes went up 24-19 with just over five minutes left. Canes fans thought they had it.
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But Trinidad Chambliss had other plans.
Ole Miss Storms Back in Wild Finish
The game exploded in the final minutes. Chambliss connected with Dae’Quan Wright on a 24-yard touchdown with 3:13 remaining to put Ole Miss back ahead 25-24. Then Pete Golding went for a gutsy two-point conversion to stretch the lead to 27-24.
Miami got one final chance at redemption, but couldn’t capitalize. The Hurricanes (12-2) fell agonizingly short despite dominating much of the game in total yards. Ole Miss (13-1) advanced despite Lane Kiffin‘s departure to LSU, a stunning result in Golding’s first season as head coach.
How the Drama Unfolded
| Quarter | Key Event |
| 1st | Miami led 3-0, dominated early with field goal |
| 2nd | Miami extended lead to 17-10 at halftime with touchdown passes |
| 3rd | Ole Miss narrowed gap, Miami led 17-16 entering 4th quarter |
| 4th | Toney TD, then Chambliss goes ahead, Ole Miss wins 27-24 |
“Toney caught a little screen pass from Carson Beck and raced 36 yards for a touchdown that put Miami up 24-19. The touchdown was Toney’s ninth receiving score of the season.”
— Saturday Down South, College Football Coverage
What Went Wrong for Miami
Miami’s defense had carried the team all playoff long, but Trinity Chambliss thrived under pressure. He threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns in a performance worthy of his draft hype. Kewan Lacy had 73-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter that sparked the Rebels’ comeback.
The Hurricanes were better overall, gaining 228 yards in just the first half alone. But in the playoff’s most cutthroat moments, proficiency lost to clutch execution. Chambliss answered Toney’s heroics with his own fourth-quarter magic that sent Ole Miss to the national championship game.
What’s Next for Both Programs?
Ole Miss advances to face Indiana or Oregon in the CFP National Championship Game on January 19. Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes finish their season as tournament quarterfinalists after a stunning playoff run that upset Texas A&M and Ohio State. For Miami fans, the heartbreak is real after getting Toney so close to glory.
The question everyone is asking now: Can Toney build on this breakout moment? The freshman showed he can deliver when the moment matters most. That’s the blueprint for a future Heisman contender, even if it came just minutes too late against Ole Miss.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.