Miami football's Mario Cristobal rips officials for Elija Lofton non-touchdown call
Consider Miami football head coach Mario Cristobal not a fan of the call that led to his team’s first loss of the season Saturday night.
Miami football coach Mario Cristobal expressed his disappointment following the non-touchdown call that denied his team Elija Lofton's game-tying touchdown catch. With Miami trailing 24-3 early in the third quarter, the Hurricanes had worked their way within seven points, 31-24, with under four minutes remaining in regulation. A pair of incomplete passes led to a 4th-and-6 situation, prompting quarterback Darian Mensah to throw the crucial pass to tight end Elija Lofton.
The junior caught the ball and landed with both feet down in the end zone, seemingly securing the victory for Miami. However, Irish safety Luke Talich knocked the ball out of Lofton's hands, and it hit the ground, resulting in the incomplete pass call. After review, the call was upheld, proving to be pivotal in Notre Dame's 31-24 upset win over Miami.
Cristobal was not pleased with the decision, stating, "Really, really disappointed that they negated Elija Lofton's touchdown with two hands on the ball and two feet inbounds." When asked about an explanation from the referees, Cristobal remained firm, saying, "Zero." Cristobal emphasized the importance of not leaving the outcome of the game in the hands of officials, urging his team to play better and coach better in the future.
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