Notre Dame Beats Miami 31-24 in Football
CJ Carr threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns as the Fighting Irish topped the nation's top-ranked team.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Football
Notre Dame defeated Miami 31-24 on Saturday, November 7, 2026, in a game where Miami entered as the top-ranked team in the country. Notre Dame has now won two straight games after a loss to BYU.
Why it matters
The win over a top-ranked opponent is expected to shake up the rankings, and Notre Dame still has games against Boston College, SMU, and Syracuse to close the season.
CJ Carr completed nearly 75% of his passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns, while Miami's Darian Mensah passed for 276 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Nolan James Jr. and Jonaz Walton combined for 89 yards on 26 carries, and the ranking impact of the upset has not yet been determined.
The players
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The University of Notre Dame's football program, based in South Bend, Indiana, which has a long history of national championship contention.
CJ Carr
Notre Dame quarterback who threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Miami.
Darian Mensah
Miami quarterback who threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to Notre Dame.
Jon Bon Jovi
Rock musician who was honored by Notre Dame's marching band during the game and who is scheduled to perform at Notre Dame Stadium.
The details
Notre Dame's marching band spelled out Jon Bon Jovi's name during the game, and Bon Jovi later posted pictures from the matchup on his personal account. The win came against a Miami team that had been ranked first in the country before kickoff.
Timeline
November 7, 2026: Notre Dame defeats Miami 31-24.
November 8, 2026: A Jon Bon Jovi video about Notre Dame is uploaded.
October 2, 2027: A Forever Tour show is scheduled at Notre Dame Stadium.
Season Trajectory
Notre Dame and Miami both reached the College Football Playoff National Championship in recent years, so this result reshapes the postseason outlook for both programs. The upset over the nation's top-ranked team positions Notre Dame to contend for a playoff berth if it finishes its season strongly.
Fantasy managers tracking CJ Carr should note his 319-yard, three-touchdown performance against a top-ranked defense. The remaining schedule against Boston College, SMU, and Syracuse will determine whether Notre Dame's postseason hopes stay on track.
The takeaway
Notre Dame's upset of the top-ranked team shows the program can still beat elite competition late in the season. Readers following South Bend's football team should watch the remaining three games closely as they shape the postseason picture.
What happens next
Notre Dame will close the regular season against Boston College, SMU, and Syracuse, and a Jon Bon Jovi show is scheduled at Notre Dame Stadium on October 2, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more Football coverage for South Bend readers following the Fighting Irish's latest result.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ClutchPoints.
