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- No. 6 Ole Miss faces No. 10 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl CFP semifinal on Thursday, January 8
- Both teams released updated injury reports with key defensive players questionable
- Check out the full Ole Miss vs Miami injury report and opt-out updates below
The No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels and No. 10 Miami Hurricanes meet Thursday night in the Fiesta Bowl for a College Football Playoff semifinal with a national championship berth on the line. Both teams released updated injury reports ahead of the 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at State Farm Stadium.
Ole Miss has defensive end Kam Franklin listed as questionable after entering concussion protocol. Miami has three defensive linemen questionable, including starting defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. who suffered an ankle injury in the Cotton Bowl win over Ohio State.
Neither team has significant player opt-outs for the CFP semifinal. The game airs on ESPN from Glendale, Arizona.
Jump to: Ole Miss Injury Report | Miami Injury Report
Ole Miss Injury Report
The Rebels are relatively healthy heading into the biggest game in program history. Star running back Kewan Lacy was removed from the injury report after being listed as probable earlier this week.
Kam Franklin in Concussion Protocol
The biggest question mark for Ole Miss is defensive end Kam Franklin. He remains in concussion protocol and is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game.
Franklin’s availability is critical against a Miami offensive line that’s allowed just 46 sacks this season. The Hurricanes feature one of the nation’s top pass rushes with defensive ends Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor combining for 19 sacks in two playoff games.
Ole Miss needs its defensive line at full strength to slow down Miami quarterback Carson Beck and a Hurricanes offense that scored 24 points against Ohio State’s top-ranked defense.
Kewan Lacy Cleared to Play
Running back Kewan Lacy is fully healthy for the Fiesta Bowl. He was removed from Wednesday’s injury report after being listed as probable with an upper-body injury earlier in the week.
Lacy has been dominant in the playoffs with 1,464 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns this season. His 23 rushing scores rank third in SEC history. He’s also been elite in pass protection, helping quarterback Trinidad Chambliss get sacked just 13 times in 14 games.
Offensive Line Losses
Ole Miss will be without offensive linemen PJ Wilkins and John Wayne Oliver. Wilkins entered the transfer portal and is injured. Both players are depth pieces rather than starters.
The Rebels also ruled out cornerback Cedrick Beavers and linebacker Raymond Collins. Neither has played significant snaps this season.
Ole Miss has no player opt-outs for the Fiesta Bowl. Backup quarterback Austin Simmons entered the transfer portal but will be available if needed.
Miami Injury Report
The Hurricanes have three key defensive players listed as questionable. Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman expressed confidence that starting defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. will play despite an ankle injury.
Ahmad Moten Sr. Ankle Injury
Defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. is questionable with an ankle injury suffered in Miami’s 24-14 win over Ohio State. Hetherman said he’s “very confident” Moten will play Thursday night.
Moten is an All-ACC Second Team selection who started 12 games this season. He’s critical for Miami’s defensive line rotation, especially against an Ole Miss offense that runs one of college football’s fastest no-huddle attacks.
The Rebels average 74.4 plays per game. Miami learned late in the season that fatigue can hurt their run defense after 70 plays without proper substitutions. Having Moten available keeps Miami’s rotation fresh.
Damari Brown Status Uncertain
Cornerback Damari Brown is questionable with a lower leg injury. Brown missed the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State after dealing with the injury throughout the playoffs.
His return would boost Miami’s secondary against an Ole Miss receiving corps led by Harrison Wallace III (nine catches, 156 yards, one touchdown vs. Georgia) and De’Zhaun Stribling (seven catches, 122 yards vs. Georgia).
Miami also has defensive lineman Cole McConathy II listed as questionable. Both defensive line questions are crucial against Trinidad Chambliss, who threw for 362 yards in the Sugar Bowl win over Georgia.
Depth Losses on Defense
Miami will be without linebacker Malik Bryant, wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw, and defensive lineman Donta Simpson. All three are depth pieces who haven’t played major roles this season.
Miami has no significant player opt-outs for the Fiesta Bowl.
The winner advances to face the victor of Friday’s Peach Bowl between No. 1 Indiana and No. 5 Oregon in the national championship game on January 19. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.