The Fiesta Bowl matchup betweenNo. 6 MississippiandNo. 10 Miamiturned into an instant classic, with theHurricanescoming from behind towin 31-27and advance to the College Football Playoff championship game.
Of course, it wouldn't be a true CFP game without at least a little controversy — and the Hurricanes and Rebels delivered on the game's final play.
REQUIRED READING:Miami beats Ole Miss with last-minute TD in Fiesta Bowl, will play for national title
After giving up a 3-yard go-ahead touchdown to Carson Beck with 18 seconds left,Ole Missadvanced to the Miami 35-yard line as Trinidad Chambliss completed passes of 23 and 17 yards, respectively, to set up one final shot at the end zone. Ultimately, his pass to De'Zhaun Stribling fell incomplete, with Miami defensive back Ethan O'Connor in defense.
However, Chambliss and the Ole Miss sideline were quick to call for a flag in the immediate aftermath of the incompletion, believing O'Connor had committed pass interference, which — had officials thrown a flag — would have set up another shot at the end zone, this time from the 20-yard line. Officials swallowed their whistles, ending the game.
Here's a look at the play:
THE MIAMI HURRICANES ARE HEADED TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP#PMSCFPpic.twitter.com/Id1MW1qfyU
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow)January 9, 2026
Here's another vantage of the play, which shows O'Connor grabbing onto Stribling's jersey as they both ran to the back of the end zone. O'Connor also appears to impede Stribling's chances at making a play on the ball.
This time, no DPI on Miami to close the Fiesta Bowl.pic.twitter.com/byZL6A9OfK
— Connor O'Gara (@cjogara)January 9, 2026
Ultimately, officials elected not to call pass interference, and Ole Miss fans and neutral observers alike weren't happy officials did not call what they believed to be a game-changing penalty:
Did Miami commit pass interference? Social media reacts
Should have been pass interference on Miami wowpic.twitter.com/BFKHyW5YVf
— Tedd Buddwell 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8)January 9, 2026
Obvious pass interference in the end zone. Deserved one more shot.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless)January 9, 2026
In what world is that not pass interference on Miami Ole Miss was hosed!!#CFBPlayoffpic.twitter.com/3106Rradnb
— Alex Monaco (@Alex__Monaco)January 9, 2026
Wait… did Miami get away with blatant pass interference?Ole Miss robbed?pic.twitter.com/h5aZSqMzvC
— Ratioed Sports (@RatioedSports)January 9, 2026
BREAKING: Pass interference is no longer a penalty!!pic.twitter.com/E0uSay6tOp
— Old Row (@OldRowOfficial)January 9, 2026
You can't really make that call there, but in a non-end of game situation, that's definitely defensive pass interferencepic.twitter.com/MHEVO0oOd3
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah)January 9, 2026
pass interference is still pass interference even on a hail marypic.twitter.com/L1ibZ5jUAA
— MayeIsKing (@MayeIsKing_)January 9, 2026
They never call pass interference on a Hail Marypic.twitter.com/MKDj1zVEd2
— Blain Crain (@Blain_Crain)January 9, 2026
I love how pass interference happens on every Hail Mary but it's literally never called.
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia)January 9, 2026
Probably should have been pass interference on Miami.
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee)January 9, 2026
Oh boy. Pass interference? Crazy.pic.twitter.com/4yTTOpH2P9
— Evan Abrams (@EvanHAbrams)January 9, 2026
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Did Miami football commit pass interference on Ole Miss' last play?
