College Football: Miami disputes final call in 31-24 Notre Dame loss
Coaches and players argue Elija Lofton secured a late catch that would have made the score 31-30, echoing a famous 1988 controversy in the same rivalry.
By Meera Fletcher ·
Miami University fans and officials will likely debate whether a specific catch in the final minutes of Saturday night's game constituted a touchdown. The Hurricanes lost to Notre Dame 31-24, a result that mirrors a controversial 1988 contest between the two programs. The outcome hinged on whether receiver Elija Lofton maintained control of the football before it was dislodged.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal stated that his team possessed the ball with two hands and two feet inbounds. He expressed disappointment that the referees negated the play while the game remained on the line. Cristobal told his team before the game not to leave outcomes in the hands of officials, yet the ruling left the Hurricanes trailing by seven points instead of one.
The play occurred late in the fourth quarter. Lofton caught a pass from quarterback Darian Mensah, who believed the catch was complete. Notre Dame defender Luke Talich knocked the ball away while both players were exiting the field of play. The officials ruled the catch incomplete, meaning Miami did not score the touchdown or attempt the extra point.
Terry McAulay, a rules analyst for the NBC broadcast, supported the officials' decision. He observed that Lofton bobbled the ball slightly before Talich struck it. According to McAulay, the lack of total control rendered the catch incomplete. Talich said he felt Lofton did not have control of the football and was pleased that the call was upheld.
The 2026 matchup carries historical weight for the Hurricanes. In 1988, Miami lost to Notre Dame 31-30, a score that matches the hypothetical final tally of Saturday's game. Miami entered the 1988 game ranked No. 1 in the country, while Notre Dame was No. 4. That ranking mirrors the standings entering Saturday's contest, with Miami holding the No. 1 spot and Notre Dame at No. 4.
The 1988 loss remains a point of contention for Miami. The Hurricanes argued that running back Cleveland Gary did not fumble near the goal line. Officials ruled that Gary fumbled, allowing Notre Dame to recover the ball. Former Miami player Randal Hill described the 1988 outcome as a robbery, a sentiment some fans applied to Saturday's Lofton play.
The loss does not eliminate Miami from College Football Playoff contention. The Hurricanes remain in the race for a national title despite the defeat. However, the team struggled to maintain consistency against the Fighting Irish, falling behind by 21 points in the third quarter.
Miami played without star receiver Malachi Toney, who was sidelined by injury. Toney led the Football Bowl Subdivision in several statistical categories before the injury. He accounted for 35% of Miami's catches, 39% of its receiving yards, and 46% of its touchdown receptions in the first eight games of the season.
In Toney's absence, Cooper Barkate caught two touchdown passes and Lofton recorded one. The Hurricanes mounted a comeback effort that erased 21 points, bringing the score to 24-3. The late drive ended with the disputed catch, leaving the team to wonder if a different call would have changed the outcome.
Mensah said he celebrated the catch because he believed it was a touchdown. The play adds to the lore of the Miami-Notre Dame rivalry, which is defined by close games and disputed calls. The 1988 Gary play and the 2026 Lofton catch now stand as two of the most debated moments in the history of this matchup.
