Kanell Defends Officials’ Call in Miami’s Loss to Notre Dame

Miami’s final drive ended with an incomplete-pass ruling on fourth-and-6, as the Hurricanes lost 31-24 at Notre Dame on November 7. With less than four minutes remaining and Miami trailing by seven, quarterback Darian Mensah threw to tight end Elija Lofton in the end zone. Lofton got both feet down, but the ball came loose as he stepped out of bounds. Replay review upheld the call, and Notre Dame took possession with 3:36 left.

SiriusXM host and former Florida State quarterback Danny Kanell criticized fans who called the decision a bad officiating call. He argued that the officials applied the rules correctly, while saying critics could reasonably object to the rules for completing a catch.

Former NFL referee Gene Steratore and NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay also said the play was incomplete. Steratore's view was that Lofton secured the ball with both feet inside the field, yet failed to keep it under control for the duration needed to finish a catch. McAulay said Lofton bobbled the ball before it was knocked loose. College rules require a receiver to retain control long enough to make a common football move.

Cristobal said he believed Lofton had scored, but later said Miami needed to focus on improving rather than blaming officials. The Hurricanes had trailed 24-3 in the third quarter and rallied behind all three of Mensah’s touchdown passes. They were missing wideout Malachi Toney, who underwent an ankle operation earlier that week.

Miami dropped from No. 1 to No. 5 in the AP Top 25; Notre Dame rose to No. 3. The Irish occupied 11th place in the initial College Football Playoff standings, with the next rankings due Tuesday night. Miami takes on Duke Saturday, and Notre Dame meets Boston College.