After spending five days as the No. 1 team in the country, it was No. 11 Notre Dame that handed the Miami Hurricanes their first loss of the season in the highly anticipated showdown that has been circling for the past year.
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We thought this would become an instant classic, based on the history between these two teams dating back to the “Catholics vs. Convicts” showdown in the 80s.
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But we also thought that going into the week, Miami would have star wide receiver Malachi Toney on the field to help add to the drama between these two teams.
In fact, the Hurricanes didn’t score their first touchdown until nine minutes remained in the third quarter, by which time Notre Dame had taken a 24-10 lead. But the floodgates finally opened in the fourth quarter, leading to a thrilling finish in South Bend.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish mascot celebrates after a touchdown during the game between the Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on November 7, 2026, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)
It took a while, but the Hurricanes and Fighting Irish finished fourth.
Were we about to see some of that college football craziness that was missing from the actual game played on the field?
A touchdown pass from Miami quarterback Darian Mensah cut Notre Dame’s lead to 24-17, sparking an eruption on the Hurricanes sideline as coaches tried to control their players’ emotions.
That’s when Notre Dame fought its way out of the corner after receiving a barrage of punches that you’d expect from the No. 1 team in the country. A Nolan James Jr. touchdown run put the Fighting Irish within two scores and nearly put away a Miami team that had worn itself out during the eight-minute stretch.
But given that this game had so much history, it was only fitting that it came down to one last pass. Darian Mensah’s throw to Elija Lofton in the end zone was called off at the last second, preserving Notre Dame’s 31-24 victory and denying Miami a chance to tie the game.
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Darian Mensah #10 of the Miami Hurricanes reacts against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium on November 7, 2026, in South Bend, Indiana. (Getty Images)
Why not? We’ve seen so much craziness in college football this season that it was only fitting that this one went down to the last minute in South Bend.
“I’m happy for this university, I’m happy for our players,” Marcus Freeman said after the game. “You know, there’s a lot of support from the Notre Dame nation and it’s a special moment for them. We’re a very good football team, and they’re a very good football team.
“When it mattered most, they executed. It got a little ugly in the second half, and we talked about that moment before the game, I said ‘at some point in the game, there’s going to be a struggle.’ They fought and executed when it mattered most.”
For all the talk about not winning on the big stages, Marcus Freeman found himself urging his team to get off the field so that quarterback CJ Carr could put the game away with two first downs, finally putting to rest questions about Notre Dame’s ability to finish.
Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana on November 7, 2026. (Getty Images)
What this means for Miami, with Notre Dame needing this ‘must-win’ game
One of the most lingering questions that will stir the pot at local sports radio stations over the next few days, and yes, people still listen to the radio, will be what the CFP committee decides to do with the upcoming rankings that will be released Tuesday night.
In Notre Dame’s case, they came into this game with the “must win” hanging over their head, thanks to the strength of their schedule and remaining opponents. Add in the loss to BYU a few weeks ago and the Cougars’ loss to Utah on Saturday, this was a game the Fighting Irish couldn’t lose if they hoped to make the College Football Playoff.
Now, if Notre Dame can avoid hitting the iceberg over the next three weeks against Boston College, SMU and Syracuse, they will find themselves in the postseason fighting for a national championship.
Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on before the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana on November 7, 2026. (Getty Images)
For Miami, there will be many questions in the coming weeks. The Hurricanes will face a dangerous team from Duke, Virginia Tech and Boston College to finish the regular season, with their toughest opponent coming next week against the Blue Devils.
There will obviously be a lot of questions surrounding this offense, with Malachi Toney not expected until the ACC championship game at the earliest following his high ankle sprain surgery that was performed this week following an injury suffered in practice.
However, throughout the discussion, Miami showed us who they were when their backs were against the wall tonight. No, the Hurricanes didn’t win, but they proved they can put up the points they need for now without Malachi Toney.
Head coach Mario Cristobal of the Miami Hurricanes watches the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium on November 7, 2026, in South Bend, Indiana. (Getty Images)
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Can they continue? That needs to be determined over the next month, especially considering the type of emotions tied to this game.
The bigger story right now, though, is Notre Dame putting itself in position to clinch a playoff spot over the next three weeks.
No mistakes, just win.
Tonight, the Fighting Irish gave the CFP committee all the ammunition needed to place them squarely in the top 10 on Tuesday night.
Now it’s their job not to screw it up over the next three weeks.
Gn sports
