The Notre Dame Fighting Irish delivered a statement performance on Saturday night, handing the top-ranked Miami Hurricanes their first loss of the 2026 season with a 31-24 victory. Playing at home in South Bend, Notre Dame utilized a balanced offensive attack and timely defensive stops to overcome the previously undefeated Hurricanes in a high-stakes matchup with major College Football Playoff implications.
Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr led the charge, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Micah Gilbert hauled in two of those scoring passes, while Jordan Faison added another. Nolan James Jr. contributed a crucial rushing touchdown to help the Irish build a commanding lead. The Irish defense proved equally impactful, successfully stifling a Miami offense that was playing its first game without star wide receiver Malachi Toney, who was sidelined due to an ankle injury.
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah attempted to mount a second-half comeback, connecting with Cooper Barkate for two touchdowns and Elija Lofton for another to keep the game competitive. Despite trailing 24-3 early in the third quarter, the Hurricanes clawed their way back to make it a one-score game. However, the comeback attempt ultimately fell short in the closing minutes.
The game reached a dramatic conclusion when a potential game-tying drive by Miami stalled. With 3:36 remaining, an apparent fourth-down touchdown grab by Elija Lofton was ruled incomplete after Notre Dame’s Luke Talich knocked the ball away. Following the turnover on downs, the Fighting Irish managed the clock effectively to seal the win.
“Notre Dame avenged its most damaging loss from last season” by securing this victory, which significantly bolsters their standing in the national championship discussion. While Miami remains a formidable contender, the loss marks a critical turning point in their season as they look to navigate the remainder of their ACC schedule without their top playmaker. The Fighting Irish, meanwhile, have revitalized their postseason hopes with this marquee win over the nation’s top-ranked team.