Miami dug itself too big of a deficit in loss at Notre Dame

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah (10) scrambles with the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Miami dug itself too big of a deficit in loss at Notre Dame

By Alan Rubenstein | Last updated Nov 8, 2026 12:30 AM ET

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It took the Miami Hurricanes a half to adjust offensively without Malachi Toney in a 31-24 loss at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday night.

Miami rallied from a 24-3 deficit to get within seven points twice before losing. After being dominated for two-plus quarters, Miami outplayed Notre Dame for most of the second half.

Toney is out for at least the remainder of the regular season with a high ankle sprain. Cooper Barkate led Miami with 10 receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns and Elija Lofton topped the Hurricanes with 113 yards on seven catches and a score. Darian Mensah was 24-for-43 for 276 yards, three TDs and one interception.

Notre Dame led 17-3 at halftime. The Fighting Irish outgained the Hurricanes 251-145 in the first half. Miami lost eight yards on three plays on its first drive of the second half. After Jordan Faison returned a punt 56 yards to the Miami 30, Notre Dame went 30 yards in three plays in 1:19 to extend the lead to 24-3.

After the first two drives of the second half, Notre Dame outgained Miami 281-137. Miami never took the lead, but controlled play for the rest of the game. The Hurricanes outgained the Fighting Irish 240-131 in the final 27:05 and outscored Notre Dame 21-7.

Miami did not convert when it had its chances

Three plays stood out for Miami in the loss at Notre Dame.

Trailing 10-0 in the first half, Miami had first-and-goal at the Notre Dame one-yard line. Head coach Mario Cristobal chose to kick the field goal instead of trying to punch it in on fourth down. Miami had 37 yards on 10 plays in its three drives after the field goal.

After Miami scored on consecutive drives in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 24-17, the Hurricanes got a stop and regained possession with a chance to tie the game. Mensah threw his second interception this season and Notre Dame took over at its own 49-yard line.

Notre Dame went 51 yards in eight plays and scored the eventual game-winning TD, extending its lead to 31-17. Miami answered with a seven-play, 52-yard drive, cutting the deficit to 31-24. Lofton scored Miami's first TD, followed by two from Barkate.

Every picture just leaves me more and more perplexed by this call. This looks like a TD on Sunday. Control and two feet down. https://t.co/8s2hfIqzdr
— Gaby Urrutia (@GabyUrrutia247) November 8, 2026

Notre Dame missed a 53-yard field goal on its next possession to keep Miami in the game. Miami drove 47 yards in six plays over 2:13 as it got into position to tie the game. On fourth down, Mensah connected with Lofton in the right corner of the end zone. Lofton caught the ball and his feet came down in the end zone.

The Notre Dame defender stripped Lofton of the ball out of bounds. After stopping Notre Dame, Miami got the ball back with 57 seconds left but was unable to score. Miami allowed over 300 passing yards for the third time in its past four games.

Miami has a lot to fix before hosting the Duke Blue Devils on Nov. 14.

Alan Rubenstein

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