Notre Dame beat No. 1 Miami 31-24 at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday night, and fans poured onto the field as the final whistle went. It was the biggest win of the season for the Fighting Irish, and it keeps their playoff hopes alive.
Miami came into the game unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in the country. Notre Dame came in ranked No. 11 in the first College Football Playoff rankings. A second defeat would most likely have ended Notre Dame’s season. Instead, the Irish now have a win that can change everything.
Fast Start Puts Irish Ahead
Notre Dame started strong and never gave up the lead. The Irish scored first and built a 17-3 lead by half-time. Quarterback CJ Carr was calm and sharp from the start. He threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, and he did not throw a single interception.
Carr’s favourite target was Micah Gilbert, who caught nine passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Jordan Faison added six catches for 77 yards. Running back Nolan James Jr. carried the ball 16 times for 52 yards and scored a touchdown of his own.
Miami’s attack looked lost in the first half. The Hurricanes managed only three points before the break. Their star wide receiver, Malachi Toney, was missing after ankle surgery, and the Miami offence felt his absence.
Miami Comeback Falls Short
Miami fought back hard after the break. The Hurricanes scored twice in three minutes in the middle of the third quarter and cut the lead to 24-17. Quarterback Darian Mensah, a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy, threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns.
Tight end Elija Lofton led the Miami fightback with seven catches for 113 yards. Wide receiver Cooper Barkate added 10 catches for 92 yards. With 3:43 left to play, Lofton looked to have caught the tying touchdown on fourth down. But the officials ruled that he did not control the ball, and video review kept the call as incomplete. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said after the game that he was “beyond upset” with the decision.
Notre Dame held on in the final minute. Leonard Moore forced a fumble on Miami’s last drive, and Jaiden Ausberry recovered the ball to seal the win. Fans then stormed the field to celebrate with the players.
“I’m happy for this university,” Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said after the game. “I’m happy for our players. There’s a lot of support from Notre Dame Nation, and this is a special moment for them.” He added: “When it mattered the most, we executed.”
Why Win Matters for Playoff Race
To understand why this win is so big, you need to know how college football picks its champion. The top 12 teams at the end of the season reach the College Football Playoff, a knockout tournament. A committee ranks the teams each week, and those rankings decide who gets in.
Notre Dame sat at No. 11 in the first rankings, right on the edge of the cut line. The Irish had no win against a ranked team all season. Their only other chance had gone in a loss to BYU in October. Without a big win, the committee had little reason to move them up.
Last season, Notre Dame missed the playoff for a similar reason. The Irish lost their opening game to Miami, and that head-to-head defeat kept them out of the 12-team field. This win settles that score and gives Notre Dame the strong result its record was missing.
It is also Notre Dame’s first win over the No. 1 team since 7 November 2020, when the Irish beat Clemson 47-40 in double overtime. That was six years ago to the day. Notre Dame now lead the series with Miami 19-9-1, including a 10-1 record at home.
What Comes Next for Both Teams
New rankings come out on Tuesday, and Notre Dame should climb several places after this win. The Irish are 8-1, and they now own one of the best wins of the season. If they keep winning, a playoff place is firmly in their hands.
Miami are also 8-1, and their season is far from over. The Hurricanes were the No. 1 team in the country and the top-scoring attack in the game, and one loss does not end their playoff hopes. They now play three home games in a row, starting with Duke next week, and they can still reach the playoff by winning out.
Cristobal was clear about what his team must do next. “Don’t leave it in the hands of the officials,” he said. “Play better. Coach better. Find a way to win.”
| Quarter | Notre Dame | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 3 | 0 |
| Q2 | 14 | 3 |
| Half-time | 17 | 3 |
| Q3 | 7 | 14 |
| Q4 | 7 | 7 |
| Final | 31 | 24 |
| Player | Team | Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| CJ Carr | Notre Dame | 29 of 40 passes, 319 yards, 3 touchdowns |
| Micah Gilbert | Notre Dame | 9 catches, 98 yards, 2 touchdowns |
| Darian Mensah | Miami | 24 of 43 passes, 276 yards, 3 touchdowns |
| Elija Lofton | Miami | 7 catches, 113 yards |
Notre Dame won 31-24 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend on Saturday, 7 November 2026. The Irish led 17-3 at half-time and held on after a late Miami comeback.
Quarterback CJ Carr threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Micah Gilbert caught nine passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns.
Notre Dame were ranked No. 11 in the first College Football Playoff rankings, right on the cut line, with no win over a ranked team. Beating No. 1 Miami gives them the big win they needed, and they should climb when new rankings come out on Tuesday.
