Notre Dame Miami Football Score: Why the 2025 Opener Still Stings for the Irish

Notre Dame Miami Football Score: Why the 2025 Opener Still Stings for the Irish

Rain. Humidity. A sea of orange screaming so loud you couldn't hear yourself think in Hard Rock Stadium. If you were looking for the notre dame miami football score from this past season, the number that mattered was 27-24.

Miami won. Barely.

It was one of those games where the stats don't quite tell the whole story, but the final whistle definitely did. On August 31, 2025, the No. 10 Hurricanes hosted the No. 6 Fighting Irish in a Week 1 showdown that basically felt like a playoff game in August. Honestly, it was a heartbreaker for South Bend. Notre Dame fought back from being down 21-7, clawed their way to a tie late in the fourth, only to watch Carter Davis—a transfer from FAU—nail a 47-yarder with 64 seconds left on the clock.

The Breakdown: How the Notre Dame Miami Football Score Settled at 27-24

The first half was kind of a slugfest. Both defenses were flying around, and nobody scored in the first quarter. But then Miami’s Carson Beck started finding his rhythm. He hooked up with Malachi Toney for a 28-yard touchdown early in the second, and suddenly the "U" was rocking.

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Notre Dame didn't just roll over, though. CJ Carr, the freshman phenom who’s been the talk of every Irish message board for two years, found Micah Gilbert for a 7-yard score to tie it up. But Beck responded with a laser to CJ Daniels right before halftime.

14-7, Miami.

The Second Half Collapse (and Comeback)

When the third quarter started, things looked bleak for the Irish. Miami went on a soul-crushing 12-play drive that ate up half the quarter, ending in a CharMar Brown touchdown run. 21-7. At that point, you’ve gotta wonder if the Irish were just gassed from the Florida heat.

But then CJ Carr grew up right in front of our eyes.

  • The Faison Score: Carr led a drive that ended with a 1-yard toss to Jordan Faison.
  • The Field Goal Exchange: Both teams traded kicks, making it 24-17.
  • The Tie: With about three minutes left, Carr scrambled for a 7-yard touchdown. 24-24.

For a second, it felt like Notre Dame was going to steal one in the 305. Then Carter Davis stepped up. That 47-yard field goal was pure, and when the Irish got the ball back, Rueben Bain Jr. and the Miami front seven just lived in the backfield. Two sacks. Game over.

Why This Specific Game Matters for the Rivalry

This wasn't just another game. The notre dame miami football score reflects a deeper trend: the Irish haven't won a game in Miami since 1977. That’s a long time. It’s a "house of horrors" for the program, as some analysts like to put it.

The history here is dense. You've got the 1988 "Catholics vs. Convicts" game where Notre Dame won 31-30. Then you've got the 2017 blowout where Miami humiliated the Irish 41-8. This 2025 matchup was supposed to be the moment Marcus Freeman’s squad finally broke the curse. Instead, it became another "what if."

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A Closer Look at the Key Players

Carson Beck ended the day with 205 yards and two touchdowns. He wasn't perfect, but he was efficient. On the other side, CJ Carr showed why he’s the future. He finished with two passing touchdowns and a rushing score, though that interception in the fourth quarter really stung.

The real MVP was probably the Miami defense. They recorded three sacks and forced two turnovers. In a game decided by three points, those extra possessions are basically the entire game.

What’s Next for These Two Teams?

Looking at the 2026 schedule, the Hurricanes are headed to South Bend. Mark your calendars for November 7, 2026. This time, the weather will be the Irish's friend. Instead of 90-degree humidity, we’re probably looking at a 35-degree gray day in Indiana.

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Miami is currently flying high, coming off a season where they actually made the College Football Playoff National Championship. They are a legitimate powerhouse again under Mario Cristobal. Notre Dame, meanwhile, is trying to prove they can win the big one away from home.

Actionable Takeaways for the Next Matchup

If you're a fan tracking the notre dame miami football score, keep these things in mind for the 2026 rematch:

  1. Watch the Trenches: Miami’s defensive line is elite. If Notre Dame can’t protect the quarterback better than they did in August, the result won’t change.
  2. The Weather Factor: November in South Bend is a nightmare for warm-weather teams. This is Notre Dame's chance to return the favor.
  3. The Quarterback Battle: CJ Carr will have another year of experience under his belt. He’ll be a seasoned starter by the time Miami rolls into town.

This rivalry is back. It might not be the annual bloodbath it was in the late 80s, but every time these two helmets meet, it's mandatory viewing. For now, Miami has the bragging rights. Let's see how long that lasts.