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Notre Dame Holds Off No. 1 Miami 31–24 After Building Big Lead

The Fighting Irish built a 21-point lead, then held off a Hurricanes comeback in South Bend.

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The latest

Updated Nov. 7, 2026, at 11 p.m. Central time / Nov. 8, 5 a.m. UTC.

Notre Dame built a 21-point lead and survived Miami's second-half comeback to beat the top-ranked Hurricanes 31–24 on Saturday night in South Bend, Indiana.

Quarterback CJ Carr threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns for Notre Dame, ranked fourth in the Associated Press poll entering the game, according to AP reporting published by News4JAX. Miami entered at No. 1 in that poll. NBC Sports also reported the final score.

A late Miami rally

Notre Dame led 17–3 at halftime and extended the advantage to 24–3 early in the third quarter, the AP reported. Miami quarterback Darian Mensah threw three touchdown passes as the Hurricanes closed the gap, but the visitors never took the lead.

With Miami trailing late in the fourth quarter, officials ruled that Elija Lofton did not complete a catch in the end zone on fourth down after Notre Dame's Luke Talich knocked the ball away. The Irish took over on downs and held on, according to the AP. Miami coach Mario Cristobal disagreed with the ruling.

What comes next

Both teams are 8–1 after the game, the AP reported. Notre Dame was No. 11 and Miami No. 1 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, a separate ranking from the AP poll. Updated rankings and future games will determine the playoff field.

Miami next hosts Duke, while Notre Dame next hosts Boston College, according to the AP game report.

Key moments

  • Halftime: Notre Dame led 17–3.
  • Early third quarter: Notre Dame extended the lead to 24–3.
  • Final: Notre Dame won 31–24.

Where they played

The star marks the approximate location of Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.

Approximate location. Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Sources and visual credits

Associated Press via News4JAX · NBC Sports · Notre Dame Athletics schedule.

Hero and thumbnail: conceptual editorial illustration, not a photograph. Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.