ABC
Miami and Notre Dame game ends in controversy
The Miami-Notre Dame game ended with some controversy.
Late in the fourth quarter, while down a touchdown, the Miami Hurricanes had a near touchdown on fourth down. Unfortunately, Hurricanes wide receiver Elijah Lofton could not secure the ball all the way to the ground after his catch in the end zone.
Miami was THIS CLOSE to tying things up against Notre Dame.
Elija Lofton can’t secure the catch and the Hurricanes turn the ball over on downs. https://t.co/yk3IaSGI75
— Underdog CFB (@UnderdogCFB) November 8, 2026
According to NCAA rules, a player must maintain control of the ball throughout the catch, even when falling out of bounds.
Under NCAA Rule 2-4-3 (Catch), a player must:
Secure firm control of the ball before it hits the ground.
Touch the ground in bounds. Maintain control long enough for an act common to the game.
If the receiver is going to the ground in the act of catching (with or without contact), he must keep complete and continuous control throughout contacting the ground. Losing control so that the ball touches the ground before he regains it makes the pass incomplete.
Miami fans were still not happy with how things played out.
In what world is this not a touchdown?
One foot required for a CFB catch and touchdown and he gets two feet in and because the ball gets knocked out of his hands out of bounds the play isn’t completed?
What in the world 😂 https://t.co/6OnNEXut7v
— Mikey O’ver (@MikeyOver1) November 8, 2026
HOW THE HELL WAS THIS NOT RULED A TOUCHDOWN CATCH BY MIAMI???
The receiver catches the ball, secures possession and takes a step before the ball gets knocked out.
Once a touchdown is scored, THE PLAY IS DEAD.
THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A TOUCHDOWN.
😳😳😳 https://t.co/6fbZhC4n30
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) November 8, 2026