GLENDALE, Ariz. - Carson Beck stood in the pocket, saw nothing open, and made a decision that will live forever in Miami Hurricanes football history. With 18 seconds left and his team trailing by three points, the quarterback tucked the ball and scrambled into the end zone from three yards out, delivering a stunning 31-27 victory over Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff semifinal at State Farm Stadium on Thursday night.

The best feeling I have ever had in my life, Beck said after the game, still processing the magnitude of what he had just accomplished. We never flinched. In the face of adversity, when we had to respond, we responded.

The dramatic finish capped a back-and-forth fourth quarter that saw the lead change hands multiple times in the final five minutes. Ole Miss had taken a 27-24 advantage with just 3:13 remaining when Trinidad Chambliss connected with Dae'Quan Wright on a 24-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful two-point conversion to Caleb Odom that appeared to give the Rebels the cushion they needed.

But Beck and the Hurricanes had other plans. The quarterback, who finished the night 23-of-37 for 268 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, orchestrated a methodical drive down the field before delivering the dagger himself on the ground.

Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. was instrumental throughout the contest, grinding out 110 rushing yards at an impressive 6.1 yards per carry. Wide receiver Malachi Toney provided a crucial spark in the fourth quarter, hauling in a 36-yard screen pass for a touchdown that briefly gave Miami a 24-19 lead with just over five minutes to play.

For Ole Miss, the loss marks a bittersweet end to a remarkable season that saw the program navigate unprecedented circumstances. Just two days after their Egg Bowl victory, head coach Lane Kiffin announced his departure to become the next head coach at LSU. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding stepped in to guide the Rebels through the playoffs, and nearly pulled off one of the great coaching performances in college football history.

Kicker Lucas Carneiro was sensational for the Rebels, connecting on field goals from 58 and 54 yards while displaying range that would make NFL scouts take notice. However, a miss from 51 yards earlier in the game loomed large in the final margin.

Chambliss gave everything he had in the losing effort, completing 23-of-37 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown while also contributing key rushing plays that kept Ole Miss in the game.

Miami's path to the championship has been nothing short of remarkable. Entering the playoff as the No. 10 seed and the last at-large team selected, the Hurricanes have knocked off Texas A&M on the road in the first round, upset No. 2 Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal, and now dispatched No. 6 Ole Miss in the semifinals.

The Hurricanes will make history on January 19 when they become the first team ever to play for a College Football Playoff championship at their home stadium, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. It will be the program's first appearance in the national title game since their 2001 championship season.

For a team that was not even conference champions, Miami has proven that the expanded playoff format can produce Cinderella stories capable of going all the way.