The short version
- Notre Dame defeated No. 1 Miami 31-24, avenging a previous loss that had eliminated them from playoff contention last season.
- The result leaves only Utah and UCLA as the remaining undefeated teams in the FBS, marking a rare occurrence since 2003.
- A controversial non-call on a potential late touchdown pass for Miami fueled frustration among Hurricanes coaches despite their resilience.
Notre Dame secured a decisive victory over the top-ranked Miami Hurricanes on Saturday night, winning 31-24 in a contest that significantly alters the landscape of the college football playoff race. The Irish, currently ranked fourth in the College Football Playoff standings, avenged their most damaging defeat from the previous season, a loss to Miami that had ultimately cost them a berth in the postseason. This win serves as a critical statement game for Notre Dame, who entered the matchup knowing that another failure against the Hurricanes could severely jeopardize their national championship aspirations.
Quarterback CJ Carr led the offensive charge for Notre Dame, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Micah Gilbert caught two of those scoring passes, while Jordan Faison added the third. Nolan James Jr. contributed a rushing score to help establish an early dominance that allowed the Irish to build a commanding 21-point lead. The defense held firm throughout the contest, ensuring that Notre Dame never trailed at any point during the game. This performance marked the team’s most significant victory of the season and their first win against a No. 1 opponent in six years.
Miami faced challenges from the outset, playing without injured wide receiver Malachi Toney, a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy. The Hurricanes started slowly on offense, struggling to generate momentum against a Notre Dame defense that was prepared for the occasion. Despite these early difficulties, Miami demonstrated resilience by mounting a comeback attempt in the second half. Darian Mensah threw three touchdown passes for the Hurricanes, twice narrowing the gap to seven points after trailing 24-3 early in the third quarter. Cooper Barkate caught two of those scores, and Elija Lofton added the other.
The game’s conclusion was marked by controversy surrounding a late fourth-down play with 3:36 remaining. Lofton appeared to catch a pass in the end zone that would have tied the game at 31-30, echoing the famous score from the teams’ historic 1988 meeting. However, Notre Dame’s Luke Talich knocked the ball away before it could be ruled complete. Officials determined that Lofton had not secured the catch, allowing Notre Dame to take over on downs and run out the clock. This decision became a focal point of post-game discussions regarding the outcome.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal expressed significant frustration with the officiating decision, stating he was beyond upset that the apparent touchdown was not awarded. He acknowledged the difficulty of the loss but emphasized pride in his players’ resilience. Cristobal also took responsibility for the defeat, noting that the team should not leave outcomes in the hands of officials and must find ways to play better and coach more effectively to secure victories. The Hurricanes now return home to face Duke, looking to rebound from this setback.
The implications of this result extend beyond the two competing programs. Miami’s defeat leaves only Utah and UCLA as unbeaten teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision, both of which improved to 9-0 records with their own victories on Saturday. This marks the first time since 2003 that only two teams have remained undefeated through their first nine games, a feat previously achieved by TCU and Oklahoma. The rarity of this scenario adds weight to the remaining schedule for all contenders in the playoff race.
Notre Dame celebrated the victory with a capacity crowd at Notre Dame Stadium, where temperatures dropped from 40 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff into the mid-30s. Forty-three NFL scouts were present to evaluate talent as the Irish delivered their biggest win of the year. The university also honored several former stars during the event, including Joe Montana, Jerome Bettis Sr., and Tony Rice, alongside NBA executive Byron Spruell and Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy. These recognitions highlighted the broader community support surrounding the team’s success.
Historically, this victory adds to Notre Dame’s record against top-ranked opponents, improving their all-time mark to 10-17-1 against No. 1 teams. Their previous win against a top-ranked opponent came in November 2020 against Clemson, who were missing star quarterback Trevor Lawrence at the time. Miami’s loss also updates their historical record against Notre Dame, bringing their all-time mark against the Irish to 44-7 when ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25. Notre Dame will host Boston College next Saturday as they continue to solidify their playoff position.
The game showcased the high stakes involved in late-season matchups within the Football Bowl Subdivision. With only two undefeated teams remaining, every subsequent victory carries increased weight for playoff positioning. Notre Dame’s ability to overcome a previous deficit and defeat a top-ranked opponent demonstrates their capacity to perform under pressure. Meanwhile, Miami must address the issues that led to their loss, including offensive struggles without key personnel and the impact of critical officiating decisions on the game’s final moments.
As the season progresses, the focus will shift to how these results influence the final playoff selections. Notre Dame’s win strengthens their case for inclusion, while Miami’s defeat raises questions about their path forward. The rarity of having only two undefeated teams left in the field intensifies scrutiny on every remaining game. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if Utah and UCLA can maintain their perfect records or if other contenders will emerge from the pack in the coming weeks.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗Another No 1 falls as Notre Dame hold off Miami to shake up college football playoff race
