Referees deny Lofton catch and hand Notre Dame 31-24 victory over Miami
The Hurricanes fell behind by 21 points before a late rally that ended on a contested ruling at the goal line.
By Ibrahim Howard ·
Miami dropped a 31-24 decision to Notre Dame on Saturday night after officials ruled a potential game-tying catch incomplete in the final minutes. The Hurricanes trailed by 21 points in the third quarter before mounting a late surge that left them one play away from overtime. The loss keeps the team in the College Football Playoff conversation but adds another disputed moment to the rivalry's history.
Elija Lofton secured the ball with two hands and two feet inbounds on a pass from Darian Mensah with seconds remaining. The officials called the play incomplete, citing a knock by Notre Dame defender Luke Talich. The ruling kept the score at 31-24 instead of moving the Hurricanes to 31-30 for an extra point attempt. Had the catch stood, Miami would have matched the final score of their 1988 loss to the same opponent.
Coach Mario Cristobal argued the team had clear possession. He stated that the referees negated a touchdown with two hands on the ball and two feet inbounds. Cristobal told his team not to leave the outcome in the hands of officials before the game started. He expressed disappointment in the call made while the game was on the line.
Mensah believed the play was a touchdown and began celebrating immediately. Talich said he felt Lofton did not have full control of the ball before it was knocked away. Both players ended up out of bounds after the collision. NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay supported the on-field decision, noting that Lofton bobbled the ball slightly before it was dislodged.
The game echoed the 1988 contest where Miami was ranked No. 1 and Notre Dame was No. 4. In that 31-30 loss, Cleveland Gary was ruled to have fumbled near the goal line, a decision that ended the Hurricanes' national title bid. Former Miami star Randal Hill described that 1988 outcome as a robbery. Saturday's rankings mirrored that exact scenario, with Miami entering as the top team and Notre Dame as the No. 4 seed.
The Hurricanes played without wide receiver Malachi Toney, who is injured. Toney was second in the nation with 73 catches, tied for second with 13 touchdowns, and third with 1,027 receiving yards. He accounted for 35% of Miami's receptions, 39% of its receiving yards, and 46% of its touchdowns in the first eight games. Cooper Barkate and Lofton each caught a touchdown pass in Toney's absence.
The loss does not eliminate Miami from title contention. The team remains in play for the College Football Playoff. The debate over Lofton's catch joins the long-standing argument over Gary's fumble as a defining controversy in the series.
