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Miami's defense couldn't hold up when it mattered most against Notre Dame's attack

No. 1 Miami loses to No. 11 Notre Dame.
ByPatrick Previty
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Nov 7, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) carries the ball for a touchdown defended by Miami Hurricanes linebacker Cam Pruitt (4) during the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Nov 7, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) carries the ball for a touchdown defended by Miami Hurricanes linebacker Cam Pruitt (4) during the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

No. 1 Miami's undefeated season came to an end Saturday night as No. 11 Notre Dame defeated the Hurricanes 31-24 at Notre Dame Stadium.

Miami trailed by as many as 21 points before mounting a second-half comeback, but a fourth-down incompletion in the end zone ended its hopes of forcing overtime.

Miami suffers first loss against Notre Dame

Quarterback Darian Mensah completed 24 of 43 passes for 302 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Cooper Barkate stepped up in the absence of Malachi Toney, finishing with 10 receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns, and Mark Fletcher Jr. added 57 rushing yards on 13 carries.

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TE Elija Lofton had one of his best games as well, logging seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. Essentially the only reliable targets for Mensah were Barkate and Lofton in this game.

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr was the difference for much of the night, completing 29 of 40 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Micah Gilbert caught nine passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns, while Jordan Faison added a 27-yard touchdown reception.

Miami had allowed an average of 326.7 passing yards over its previous three games against Florida State, Pittsburgh and North Carolina. The Hurricanes entered the Notre Dame matchup ranked 122nd nationally in passing yards allowed per game at 251.9, and Carr added another 319 yards and three touchdowns against them.

Miami's offense struggled throughout the opening half, managing just 28 yards in the first quarter and 74 passing yards before halftime. Things obviously picked up in the second half, but the Canes couldn't afford that type of start and it ended up costing them.

Miami returns home to face Duke next Saturday, while Notre Dame hosts Boston College. The Fighting Irish will fly up the next CFP rankings and the Hurricanes will most likely be slotted right behind them (both in the top 10).

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