Cristobal blasts call that erased Miami’s late touchdown

Top-ranked Miami fell to No. 11 Notre Dame, 31-24, in South Bend on November 8, 2026, suffering its first loss of the season. The pivotal play came with less than four minutes remaining, when quarterback Darian Mensah threw to tight end Elijah Lofton near the end-zone boundary on fourth down. Officials ruled the pass incomplete, and a replay review left that call in place.

Lofton appeared to secure the ball with both feet down, but as he moved out of bounds, Notre Dame safety Luke Talich knocked it free. Miami surrendered possession on fourth down and did not get back into the red zone. Cristobal said he was deeply frustrated by the ruling, while also acknowledging his team had to avoid leaving a game’s outcome to officials.

Cristobal later said he needed to be more mature and professional in expressing his view, and to focus criticism on his own team. Mensah said he initially thought Lofton had scored because he did not see the ball come loose. He completed 24 of 43 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns, two to Cooper Barkate and one to Lofton. Barkate had 10 catches for 92 yards.

Miami played without injured receiver Malachi Toney, who is expected to miss four weeks after surgery. The Hurricanes trailed 24-3 early in the third quarter before rallying to make it a one-score game. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman called the victory a significant moment for his team, which had lost to Miami the previous season.