Miami players took shots before the Fiesta Bowl but there’s a catch

Jeff Hauser

•
Miami players took shots before the Fiesta Bowl but there’s a catch image

Miami players took an unusual pregame ritual to the field at the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night — shots of cafecito.

Several Hurricanes players were seen drinking the Cuban-style espresso shortly before kickoff against Ole Miss, a moment that quickly drew attention for its novelty and cultural nod. 

Cafecito, a staple in South Florida and Cuban communities, is made by whipping a small amount of strong espresso with sugar and then pouring additional coffee over the mixture, creating a thin, sweet foam on top.

As odd as it looked on a College Football Playoff stage, the caffeine boost appeared to work early. Miami carried a 17-13 lead into halftime in Glendale, showing energy on both sides of the ball while trading punches with an Ole Miss offense that has been one of the most productive units in the country.

The Hurricanes entered the game riding strong momentum. Miami has won four straight games against SEC opponents and is 5-0 against the spread this season versus ranked teams. Its defense has been elite, ranking fourth nationally in points allowed at 13.1 per game. Over its last six games, Miami has surrendered just seven touchdowns, while forcing 12 takeaways and committing only four turnovers.

The Hurricanes have also been relentless in the playoff, recording 12 sacks this CFP, already the second-most in a single playoff run.

However, Ole Miss brought streaks of its own. The Rebels had won five straight against ACC teams by at least 20 points and entered averaging more than 30 points per game in eight consecutive contests, thriving offensively even after Lane Kiffin’s departure.

With caffeine-fueled confidence, the Fiesta Bowl had already delivered a energized first half.

More college football news: 

News Correspondent