Miami's No. 1 ranking falls after loss to Notre Dame
The Hurricanes lost 31-24 to the Fighting Irish on Saturday after receiver Malachi Toney suffered a high ankle sprain in practice.
By Beatriz Soto ·
Miami entered its Week 10 game as the country's top-ranked team and left South Bend, Indiana, with its first loss of the season. The Hurricanes dropped to No. 5 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll on Sunday following a 31-24 defeat at Notre Dame.
The team's offensive firepower was reduced before the contest began. During a practice session on Wednesday, quarterback Darian Mensah threw a pass to receiver Malachi Toney. A scout team defender contested the catch, and Toney landed awkwardly. Medical staff diagnosed him with a high ankle sprain a few hours later. The team announced he would be sidelined for multiple weeks.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal described Toney as essential to the group. He noted that Toney has been a long-time presence on the roster and typically lands safely despite difficult body positions. The injury disrupted the team's routine, which Mensah described as consistent regardless of the opponent.
The game turned in the third quarter when Notre Dame built a 24-3 lead. Miami mounted a comeback in the final minutes but fell short. With under four minutes remaining, Elija Lofton made a play that the coaching staff believed was a touchdown catch. Officials ruled the ball was not caught, ending the Hurricanes' final opportunity to tie the score.
Toney underwent successful ankle surgery in South Florida on Thursday morning. He addressed the team via video before their flight to Indiana to offer encouragement. The medical team aims to reduce his recovery time through a procedure known as tightrope surgery. The plan is for him to return to play sometime in December.
The team traveled by Boeing 787 to the smaller South Bend airport, a move that attracted attention from local fans. Security personnel formed barriers to guide players from the hotel to the stadium. Offensive lineman Matt McCoy stated that the staff maintains the same preparation methods for every game, aiming to avoid distraction from the high stakes.
The team returned to Miami shortly after midnight Sunday. The staff plane arrived about an hour after the players. The next game is scheduled for the homecoming matchup against Duke, a team against which both Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate played last season.
