No. 4 Notre Dame takes big lead, then holds off No. 1 Miami 31-24 in a classic

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- , Marcus Freeman didn't deny the obvious. Even for a storied program like Notre Dame, beating Miami had enormous significance. If that wasn't enough, it kept Notre Dame's national title hopes alive as well. CJ Carr threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, and No. 4 Notre Dame avenged its most damaging loss from last season by running out to a 21-point lead and holding on to beat No. 1 Miami 31-24 on Saturday night. Micah Gilbert caught two of Carr's scoring passes, Jordan Faison had the other and Nolan James Jr . had a rushing score for Notre Dame (8-1, No. 11 College Football Playoff), which came into the game knowing another loss to Miami could doom its CFP chances. “It’s a special moment,” said Freeman, Notre Dame's coach. “Enjoy the moment, because tomorrow when you wake up it’s time to get ready for the next one. I know it’s a big one. This is big.