Miami disputes Lofton catch ruling in 31-24 loss to Notre Dame
Coaching staff claims receiver had possession inbounds, adding to decades of rivalry debate over a similar 1988 play.
By Harper Laurent ·
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal argued that the Hurricanes deserved a tie, not a defeat, after officials ruled a late fourth-quarter catch incomplete. The decision kept Notre Dame ahead 31-24 on Saturday night in South Bend, Indiana. The call prevented Miami from forcing an overtime period that could have decided the game.
Cristobal stated that receiver Elija Lofton had two hands on the ball and two feet inbounds. The coach said the team was told not to leave the outcome in the hands of the officials. He expressed disappointment with the ruling while congratulating Notre Dame for winning the contest.
The play involved a pass intended to make the score 31-30 with an extra point attempt pending. Lofton appeared to secure the ball, but Notre Dame defender Luke Talich knocked it away. Both players ended up out of bounds after the contact. The referees determined the catch was not complete because Lofton did not maintain total control before the ball was dislodged.
Quarterback Darian Mensah said he believed the play was a touchdown and began celebrating immediately. Talich said he felt Lofton did not have full control of the ball. The defender described feeling pumped up when the referees upheld the incomplete call on the field.
Rules analyst Terry McAulay, who appeared on the NBC broadcast, agreed with the officials. He noted that Lofton bobbled the ball slightly before Talich knocked it out. McAulay concluded the play should have been ruled incomplete based on the lack of sustained control.
The controversy echoes a dispute from 1988 involving Miami player Cleveland Gary. For 38 years, Miami has maintained that Gary did not fumble in a 31-30 loss to Notre Dame. In that game, Miami entered ranked number one and Notre Dame was number four. The current matchup featured the exact same pre-game rankings.
The 1988 loss cost Miami a national title shot after Gary was ruled to have fumbled near the goal line. Former Miami star Randal Hill described that loss as a robbery. The similarity in scores and rankings added to the debate surrounding Saturday's final play.
The loss does not end Miami's College Football Playoff hopes. The Hurricanes had fallen behind 24-3 in the third quarter before mounting a comeback attempt. The team played without injured receiver Malachi Toney, who was a Heisman Trophy contender. Toney accounted for 35% of Miami's catches, 39% of receiving yards, and 46% of touchdown receptions in the first eight games of the season.
In Toney's absence, Cooper Barkate caught two touchdown passes. Lofton also had a touchdown reception earlier in the game. The team finished with a 31-24 loss, leaving fans to debate the final moments for years to come.
