Notre Dame built a 21-point lead and held off No. 1 Miami 31-24 on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend. The victory was the program’s first over a top-ranked team since Clemson in 2020, John Brice reported for USA TODAY.
The Irish improved to 8-1, strengthening their College Football Playoff case after entering the game No. 11 in the initial CFP rankings. But a late defensive stand, not their early cushion, ultimately kept Miami from completing its comeback.
A 24-3 lead becomes a one-score game
CJ Carr threw three touchdown passes, including two to Micah Gilbert. The first Gilbert score gave Notre Dame a 17-3 halftime lead; the second stretched it to 24-3 three minutes into the second half, according to Brice’s report.
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah answered with back-to-back touchdown passes in less than three minutes of game clock. Notre Dame later pushed its lead to 31-17 before another Miami touchdown brought the Hurricanes within one score, Pat Forde reported for Sports Illustrated.
With 3:36 remaining, Miami faced fourth-and-6 from the Notre Dame 18. Mensah targeted tight end Elija Lofton in the end zone, but safety Luke Talich knocked the ball loose. Officials ruled the pass incomplete, and the call stood after replay review, Forde reported.
Miami coach Mario Cristobal disputed the decision, arguing that Lofton had possession with two hands on the ball and both feet inbounds. Talich described his approach differently: “We’re just taught to play through the hands and finish the play, so that’s what I did and got the ball.” Both accounts appeared in Forde’s report.
The breakup did not end Miami’s chances. The Hurricanes got the ball back with one minute left, but their final possession ended without a score. Fans joined the players on the field after the victory, Brice reported.
A stronger playoff case, not a clinched berth
Notre Dame’s No. 11 CFP ranking was distinct from its No. 6 position in the US LBM Coaches Poll entering the game. Beating Miami gave the Irish the signature win their playoff résumé had lacked, John Leuzzi wrote in USA TODAY’s playoff analysis.
Leuzzi described Notre Dame as an apparent playoff lock, but cautioned that another regular-season loss could complicate its chances. The win strengthened the Irish’s position without clinching a berth.
