Lofton’s Near-Catch Joins Miami-Notre Dame Rivalry Lore

Miami’s 31-24 defeat at Notre Dame on November 7 ended with a play the Hurricanes may debate for years. Late in the fourth quarter, Elija Lofton appeared to have caught a touchdown pass, but officials ruled he had not completed the catch. Notre Dame’s Luke Talich knocked the ball away as both players went out of bounds.

Miami coach Mario Cristobal said he was disappointed with the call, arguing Lofton had clear possession in bounds. Had the catch counted, Miami would have trailed 31-30 with an extra point attempt to come. The final score echoed the Hurricanes’ 31-30 loss at Notre Dame in 1988, a game still remembered for Cleveland Gary’s disputed fumble near the goal line.

Both teams entered Saturday’s game ranked in the same order as in 1988: Miami No. 1 and Notre Dame No. 4. Miami has long maintained Gary was down before the ball came loose; former Hurricanes player Randal Hill described the ruling as robbery. Saturday’s disputed play adds another chapter to the rivalry, though Miami remains in contention for the College Football Playoff.

The Hurricanes fell behind 24-3 in the third quarter and mounted a comeback without injured receiver Malachi Toney. Toney had 73 catches, 1,027 receiving yards and 13 touchdown receptions entering the weekend. Cooper Barkate caught two touchdown passes, and Lofton had another, but Miami’s rally came up short.