Notre Dame Holds Off Miami After Hurricanes Rally From 21 Down

Notre Dame built a 17-3 halftime lead and extended it to 24-3 early in the second half, taking advantage of Miami’s sluggish offense and a long punt return. The Hurricanes, missing injured receiver Malachi Toney, had managed only 145 yards before the break. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr threw two first-half touchdowns and finished with 205 passing yards and no interceptions.

Miami responded with three touchdowns, as quarterback Darian Mensah found tight end Elija Lofton for a score and Cooper Barkate for two. Barkate’s one-yard touchdown catch brought the Hurricanes within 31-24 with just under 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Lofton had a career-best 103 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Notre Dame had a chance to add to its lead, but Spencer Porath missed a 53-yard field goal. Miami then drove downfield, with Lofton making a 41-yard catch. The possession ended when he could not hold onto a pass in the end zone on fourth-and-6.

The Fighting Irish ran the ball to wind down the clock, then stopped Miami’s final push. Mensah was sacked on the opening play of the last drive, and a trick play ended in a fumble recovered by Notre Dame. The defeat was Miami’s first of the season; Notre Dame won the rivalry matchup 31-24.