Sunday night football in college is still a novelty, but this matchup between Notre Dame and Miami felt like an event. The Hurricanes unveiled new transfer quarterback Carson Beck, and the Irish looked to make a national statement. What followed was a game that swung on turnovers, highlight plays, and a final drive that decided everything. Beck set the tone in his first start since arriving from Georgia. He completed 20 of 31 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns, displaying both composure and arm strength. His early strike to wide receiver C.J. Daniels became the weekend’s viral moment. Daniels extended fully for a one-handed grab in the back of the end zone, a touchdown that lit up highlight reels and immediately gave Miami momentum. Notre Dame answered with methodical drives but kept getting in its own way. A first-half fumble in Irish territory set up a Miami field goal. Later, an interception deep in the red zone erased a chance to tie the game before halftime. The miscues allowed Miami to carry a 17–7 lead into the break. The second half tightened. Notre Dame’s defense held firm, forcing Miami into three straight punts and giving the offense time to regroup. Irish quarterback Steve Angeli strung together a 10-play drive capped by a short touchdown run to cut the margin to three. After a defensive stop, Notre Dame tied it at 21 with just over three minutes left, sending their traveling fans into a frenzy. But the night belonged to Miami in the end. Beck calmly guided a final possession that covered 46 yards in just over two minutes. A mix of quick outs and a 15-yard strike to Daniels pushed the Hurricanes into range. With 48 seconds left, kicker Andres Borregales drilled a 39-yard field goal to seal the win. Head coach Mario Cristobal praised his quarterback’s debut afterward. “Carson showed exactly why we believed in him,” he told reporters. “He stayed calm, delivered throws under pressure, and gave our team the confidence to finish.” Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, meanwhile, lamented the missed opportunities. “Turnovers will get you beat against good teams,” he said. “Our guys fought, but you can’t give away possessions in a game like this.” The final stats showed balance across the board. Miami finished with 385 total yards, Notre Dame with 360. Both teams ran the ball effectively — Miami for 140 yards, Notre Dame for 135 — and both defenses produced key stops. The difference came in mistakes: two Irish turnovers turned into ten Miami points, and those points proved decisive. For Miami, the win validated the offseason hype. A transfer quarterback, a confident receiving corps, and a defense that forced turnovers making it all came together. For Notre Dame, the loss stings because it was within reach. The Irish showed enough to compete with a top program but left too many plays on the table. The Sunday stage amplified everything. A viral catch, a late rally, and a winning kick under the lights made this a game fans will remember. For Miami, it was a launch point. For Notre Dame, it was a lesson in execution.