Story byJeff HauserFri, January 9, 2026 at 2:46 AM UTC·2 min readMiami players took shots before the Fiesta Bowl but there’s a catch originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Miami players took an unusual pregame ritual to the field at the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night — shots of cafecito. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSeveral 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. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Hurricanes entered the game riding strong momentum.