Mario Cristobal channeled legendary Miami football coach Jimmy Johnson in the worst way possible following the top-ranked Hurricanes' controversial loss to No. 6 Notre Dame on Saturday, Nov. 7.
The message to his players before they left Miami for South Bend? Don't leave it in the hands of officials.
Unfortunately for Miami, that's precisely what unfolded on the field at Notre Dame Stadium, as a controversial incompletion call by referees directly impacted the end of the game, a 31-24 Fighting Irish victory. It was eerily similar to the Hurricanes' 1988 game vs. Notre Dame, which saw the top-ranked team in the nation fall in a controversial 31-30 on the road at Notre Dame.
Dame believes
The play in question saw quarterback Darian Mensah throw a fourth-down pass to tight end Elija Lofton in the end zone with roughly 3:36 left in the game; he appeared to not only get both hands on the ball, but also both feet in bounds. That would have tied the score, 31-31, following a successful point-after attempt.
However, Notre Dame defensive back Luke Talich knocked the ball from Lofton's hands, causing officials to rule that he did not complete the process of a catch. Here's a look at the play from the back end, with NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay supporting ACC officials' ruling of "no catch."
NBC's Terry McAulay supports the ruling of Elija Lofton's potential game-tying TD for Miami in the 31-24 loss to Notre Dame: "It's incomplete." pic.twitter.com/2Ie8BE6EaB
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 8, 2026
Speaking after the game, Cristobal didn't hold back on what he thought was the wrong call by officials.
“Really disappointed that they negated Elija Lofton’s touchdown with two hands on the ball and two feet in bounds,” Cristobal told reporters. “But like we told our team before we left Miami, do not leave it in the hands of officials because that’s what you’re going to get here.
"Very disappointed with the way that was called with the game on the line and clear possession of the football in bounds.”
(Warning: explicit language used).
Mario Cristobal had plenty to say about the controversial incompletion call that wiped away a potential game-tying touchdown for Miami. pic.twitter.com/lFjuxnPjUi
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 8, 2026
Miami forced a Notre Dame punt to get the ball back at its own 13-yard line with 44 seconds left, but with no timeouts, the Hurricanes couldn't muster a final drive to tie the game. The game ended with a failed attempt at a hook-and-lateral that saw Notre Dame recover at the Hurricanes' 4-yard line.
The loss shouldn't cost Miami a spot among the top 12 of the College Football Playoff rankings, though it almost certainly would have for Notre Dame, had the Irish not emerged victorious. Marcus Freeman's squad entered the Week 10 rivalry game at No. 11, a clear message from the selection committee: Win out or get out.
As it stands, Miami and Notre Dame each have at least three games remaining on their respective schedules, with the Hurricanes also in play for an ACC Championship game berth. It's not impossible to imagine these teams meeting again, either, in the playoff.
If the teams do meet again, Cristobal will have plenty to stew over following their first meeting.
"You know, I could sit here and go all day. I know games get called back and forth, but certain plays that determine certain games, when you have instant replay. ... I mean, you know I'm pissed off, so what do you want me to say? It's (expletive). And I'll leave it at that."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mario Cristobal warned Miami not to trust the refs. Then came cruelest possible ending
