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Carson Beck spent most of 2024 hearing doubts from every direction. By the time he reached the Fiesta Bowl with Miami, the former Georgia quarterback had heard enough — and he chose the perfect moment to clap back.
After guiding the Hurricanes to a 31-27 semifinal win over Ole Miss, Beck posted a four-word caption on Instagram that immediately got people talking: *“It just means more.
It was hard to blame him for celebrating. Carson Beck threw for 268 yards on 23-of-27 passing, added two touchdown throws, and tossed one interception, per the game stats reported by broadcasters. With only 18 seconds left, he sealed the win on a three-yard scramble to the end zone — a play that cemented him as Fiesta Bowl MVP and sent Miami to the playoff final for the first time since 2001.
The turnaround was especially striking considering how his Miami chapter began. An elbow injury cut his Georgia stint short and followed him into Coral Gables, where he missed spring practice due to the same issue. That left him battling skepticism both publicly and privately. According to Miami’s executive director of recruiting, Dennis Smith, Beck was “as broken of a human being” as he had ever seen when the QB first arrived on campus.
Things didn’t immediately get easier. The Hurricanes took on a quarterback with 12 interceptions the previous season — a major gamble for head coach Mario Cristobal, who invested roughly $4 million in NIL support to secure Beck’s transfer. Early in the year, Beck struggled again, including a four-interception outing against Louisville. But when Miami needed him most, he delivered.
Against Ole Miss, Carson Beck operated with rhythm and confidence. He completed 7-of-9 passes for 85 yards on third down and converted two first downs with his legs. Miami’s improved pass protection also helped — the Hurricanes protected him on 72.9% of his dropbacks, a stark contrast to the shaky Georgia offensive line he played behind in 2024. His average depth of target reached 9.9 yards, his second-deepest of the season, according to broadcast analysts.
After the win, Carson Beck told ESPN’s Holly Rowe he rallied his teammates late with a simple message: “We’ve got three minutes for the rest of our lives… everything we’ve worked for since January… all comes down to three minutes in the semifinals.”
Cristobal praised that leadership afterward, and some interpreted his comments as a subtle dig at Georgia head coach Kirby Smart. “He’s hungry. He’s driven… and all he wants to do is see his teammates have success.”
Not everyone in football circles agrees with Beck’s decisions. One anonymous NFL general manager reportedly called his departure from Georgia “a big red flag,” suggesting the move “certainly hurts him with us.” But if the Fiesta Bowl proved anything, it’s that Beck still controls the narrative on the field.
He just dismantled Ole Miss’ top-ranked defense, ended the Rebels’ run, and kept Miami’s title hopes alive. Next up is Indiana — and a chance for Beck to finish one of college football’s most unexpected redemption arcs.
Who is Carson Beck?
Carson Beck is a college football quarterback who transferred from the Georgia Bulldogs to the Miami Hurricanes. He led Miami to a Fiesta Bowl semifinal win over Ole Miss and earned MVP honors.
Why did Carson Beck transfer from Georgia to Miami?
Beck’s Georgia tenure ended following an elbow injury, and with uncertainty around his future role, he entered the transfer portal. Miami took the chance on him, offering support and an opportunity to start.
What was significant about Beck’s Fiesta Bowl performance?
Beck completed 23-of-27 passes for 268 yards, threw two touchdowns with one interception, and scored the game-winning rushing touchdown with 18 seconds left. He was named Fiesta Bowl MVP.
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