No. 1 Miami's Mario Cristobal 'pissed off' after potential game-tying TD catch was ruled incomplete in loss to No. 11 Notre Dame

Miami coach Mario Cristobal was convinced that Elija Lofton caught what could have been the game-tying touchdown against Notre Dame.

After Lofton snagged the ball and got two feet in bounds along the sideline, Notre Dame defensive back Luke Talich knocked the ball out of his hands as Lofton took a step out of bounds. The fourth-down pass was called incomplete, and Notre Dame took over on downs with less than four minutes to go in the Fighting Irish's 31-24 win.

"Really, really disappointed that they negated Elija Lofton's touchdown with two hands on the ball and two feet in bounds," Cristobal said. "But like we told our team before we left Miami, do not leave it in the hands of the officials because that's what you're going to get out here."

Cristobal said he got "zero" explanation from the ACC crew officiating the game.

"You know, I could sit here all day," Cristobal said when asked about another call that didn't go Miami's way. "I know games get called back and forth, certain plays that determine certain games when you have instant replay. And you know, I'm pissed off so what do you want me to say? It's bulls***. And I'll leave it at that. And again, that was the way it was seen by them, so I've got to live with it and respect it and our players have to live with it and do better. And again, don't leave it in the hands of the officials."

For those who haven't seen the play, here it is below. Lofton certainly has possession right away while he's in bounds. But he doesn't keep the ball for very long.

If you're familiar with the phrase "the process of the catch," it certainly applies here. And, unfortunately for Cristobal, the rule book isn't in his favor. Talich prevented Lofton from making a catch.

The college football rule book states that for a catch to be official, a player must "secure firm control with the hand or arm of a live ball in flight before the ball touches the ground," "touch the ground inbounds with any part of the body," and, crucially, "maintain control of the ball long enough to enable that player to perform an act common to the game, i.e. long enough to pitch or hand the ball, advance it, avoid or ward off an opponent, etc."

Simply put, Lofton did not ward off Talich.

The win was a massive boost for Notre Dame's playoff hopes after the Irish opened the College Football Playoff rankings as the final team in the provisional field despite just one loss through their first eight games of the season. Notre Dame was at No. 11 because it didn't have a "signature" win, according to CFP selection committee chairman Hunter Yurachek.

Well, Notre Dame has that win now. With games against Boston College, SMU and Syracuse to go, Notre Dame will be heavily favored to finish the season at 11-1 and make the 12-team field.

Miami, meanwhile, will have another opportunity for a win over a ranked opponent in Week 11. After moving to 7-2 on Saturday with a blowout win over NC State, Duke should be ranked on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils visit Miami next week, before the Hurricanes host Virginia Tech and Boston College.