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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedNovember 8, 2026Miami-Dade County

Disputed Call Denies Late Touchdown as Miami Falls 31-24 to Notre Dame

Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

Referees ruled incomplete a late fourth-quarter touchdown pass caught by Miami tight end Elija Lofton, preserving a 31-24 victory for Notre Dame on Saturday night. The disputed play drew immediate comparisons to a controversial fumble in the historic 1988 matchup between the two programs, which also ended in a 31-30 score. Despite the loss, Miami remains in contention for the College Football Playoff.

College FootballSports RivalriesGame Officials
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Why It Matters

The outcome finalizes a 31-24 regular-season defeat for the Miami Hurricanes against Notre Dame and revives historical debates over officiating in the schools' storied rivalry.

Key Facts

  • Notre Dame defeated Miami 31-24 in a college football game on Saturday night in South Bend, Indiana.
  • Referees ruled incomplete a potential game-tying touchdown pass caught by Miami's Elija Lofton late in the fourth quarter.
  • Rules analyst Terry McAulay stated on the broadcast that officials adjudicated the play correctly because Lofton did not maintain total control before the ball was knocked out.
  • Miami fell behind 24-3 in the third quarter before mounting a comeback push.
  • Miami played without injured receiver Malachi Toney, who entered the weekend leading the team in major receiving categories.
  • Cooper Barkate caught a pair of touchdown passes for Miami in Toney's absence.
  • The match featured identical pre-game rankings to their famous 1988 matchup, with Miami at No. 1 and Notre Dame at No. 4.
  • Miami lost the historical 1988 game by a 31-30 score following a debated fumble by Cleveland Gary.

Who's Mentioned

PersonMario Cristobal“Miami head coach”PersonElija Lofton“Miami player involved in the disputed fourth-quarter catch”OrganizationMiami“University of Miami football team”locationSouth Bend“Location of the football game”OrganizationNotre Dame“University of Notre Dame football team”PersonTerry McAulay“NBC broadcast rules analyst”PersonCleveland Gary“Former Miami player involved in the 1988 fumble controversy”PersonLuke Talich“Notre Dame player who knocked the ball away from Lofton”PersonMalachi Toney“Injured Miami receiver”PersonDarian Mensah“Miami quarterback”PersonRandal Hill“Former Miami player commenting on the 1988 game”PersonCooper Barkate“Miami receiver who caught two touchdown passes”