Ole Miss-Miami semifinal ends on failed Hail Mary — but did referees miss a pass interference call?

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Ole Miss-Miami semifinal ends on failed Hail Mary — but did referees miss a pass interference call?

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Mississippi Rebels wide receiver De'zhaun Stribling (1) attempts to make a catch against Miami Hurricanes defensive back Ethan O'Connor (24) in the 2026 Fiesta Bowl, Image 2 shows Mississippi Rebels wide receiver De'zhaun Stribling (1) attempts to make a catch against Miami Hurricanes defensive back Ethan O'Connor (24) during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl

Christian Arnold · NY Post Sports

Fri, Jan 9, 2026 ·

3 min read

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The officials became a big part of the College Football Playoff semifinal between Ole Miss and Miami, with some fans wondering if the referees missed a pass interference call on a last-ditch effort by the Rebels to stave off what ended up being a 31-27 loss to the Hurricanes .

Miami pulled off the win on Thursday night thanks to a rushing touchdown by quarterback Carson Beck with 18 seconds left in the game, which gave Ole Miss little time in one final drive to get into the end zone.

After Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss completed 23- and 17-yard passes to get Ole Miss down to the Miami 35-yard line, Ole Miss had one final chance with six seconds left.

Chambliss looked to find receiver De'Zhaun Stribling in the end zone, but sent the pass just a tad too far for him to grab; however, replays appeared to show what could have been defensive pass interference.

Hurricanes defensive back Ethan O'Connor seemed to be grabbing onto the collar of Stribling while he was running along the sideline before jumping up to try to defend the play.

Mississippi Rebels wide receiver De'zhaun Stribling (1) attempts to make a catch against Miami Hurricanes defensive back Ethan O'Connor (24) in the second half during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Stribling and several other Ole Miss players seemed to be looking for a call from the refs to no avail.

Naturally, the lack of a call was the talk of social media after the game.

"I think Ole Miss got hosed at the end of the game with Miami, and the ref was right there to see it. The OM player was being held for 10 yards- bs. Definitely pass interference and the powers that be no doubt wanted Miami in the final game…which is in Miami," one X user wrote .

Mississippi Rebels wide receiver De'zhaun Stribling (1) attempts to make a catch against Miami Hurricanes defensive back Ethan O'Connor (24). IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"I wanted Miami to win, but that was a horrible missed pass interference by the referees," a second person commented .

"If that wasn't pass interference on the last play then Miami isn't in Florida ," a third wrote .

The Hurricanes fell into a 27-24 hole in the fourth quarter after Chambliss completed a 24-yard TD to Dae'Quan Wright with 3:13 left, which seemed like it was setting the stage for Ole Miss to move on in the CFP.

Mississippi Rebels wide receiver De'zhaun Stribling (1) reacts with wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (2) after the game against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Fiesta Bowl win sends Miami to a national championship game for the first time since it faced Ohio State in the 2002 season.

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