SOUTH BEND, Indiana — A controversial touchdown by Miami Hurricanes tight end Elija Lofton during the team's November 7, 2026 matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish has taken a new turn after a resurfaced clip involving Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown drew renewed attention to the play.
Lofton, wearing No. 9, celebrated what appeared to be a second-half score at Notre Dame Stadium alongside quarterback Darian Mensah (No. 10). The play immediately sparked debate among officials, players, and spectators regarding whether the Hurricanes player maintained possession through the process of the catch.
The situation gained additional traction when a previously circulated video featuring Brown, a former Ole Miss standout and current NFL All-Pro, resurfaced on social media. The clip appears to show a similar play from Brown's collegiate or professional career, prompting comparisons to the Lofton touchdown and fueling discussion about the consistency of catch rules across levels of football.
Neither the Atlantic Coast Conference nor Notre Dame Stadium officials have issued a formal statement regarding the review of the play. The game, played before a national television audience, marked a significant non-conference meeting between two historic programs.
