The 2024 College Football Playoff Semifinals kicked off with an instant classic, as Notre Dame and Penn State battled for a spot in the National Championship. After four intense quarters, the Fighting Irish emerged victorious with a 27-24 win, thanks to a clutch 41-yard field goal from kicker Mitch Jeter. This dramatic finish sent Notre Dame to the National Championship game in Atlanta, where they’ll have a chance to claim their first national title since 1988.
As expected, the celebration in South Bend was electric, with Fighting Irish fans reveling in their team’s thrilling victory. However, not everyone was pleased with the result of the game, and one prominent figure made his frustrations known on social media: Miami Hurricanes and Dallas Cowboys legend Michael Irvin.
Irvin, a passionate supporter of the Hurricanes, took to his X (formerly Twitter) account during the game to voice his distaste for both of the programs involved in the semifinal. In a post, Irvin said, “I have such a disdain for both of these schools @PennStateFball and @NDFootball after each have COST @CanesFootball a National Championship. But I must admit, this is a GREAT GAME!!!!!”
While Irvin acknowledged the high level of play in the game, he made it clear that, as a Hurricanes fan, he harbors some deep-seated resentment toward both Penn State and Notre Dame. His comments were more than just a passing remark—they reflected a long-standing rivalry between these programs and the Miami Hurricanes, particularly in the context of national championships.
Irvin’s post referenced two pivotal moments in Miami’s history, both of which have left a bitter taste in the mouths of Hurricanes fans. The first of these moments occurred in 1987 when Penn State, under the guidance of legendary head coach Joe Paterno, defeated Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. That 14-10 victory by the Nittany Lions cost the Hurricanes a shot at the national title, leaving Miami to watch as Penn State celebrated their first national championship in over a decade.
The second instance came just a year later in 1988, when Notre Dame handed Miami a crushing defeat during the regular season. The Fighting Irish’s 31-30 victory ended the Hurricanes’ 36-game winning streak and prevented them from claiming back-to-back national championships. Notre Dame’s win in that game would propel them to the 1988 national title, leaving Miami fans to wonder what could have been.
For Miami fans like Irvin, these two losses are still fresh in their minds, and the rivalry with both schools has only grown in intensity over the years. The sting of those defeats is compounded by the fact that, since those 1980s heartbreaks, the Hurricanes have gone on to claim three national championships (1983, 1987, and 2001), while Notre Dame has not won a title since 1988. While the Fighting Irish have a storied program and a proud tradition, their national title drought has made their loss to Miami in 1988 all the more poignant for Hurricanes fans.
Irvin’s frustration with both programs isn’t just about the past, though. It’s also a reflection of the pride that Miami fans take in their team’s legacy and success. The Hurricanes have consistently been one of the most dominant programs in college football, particularly during their heyday in the 1980s and early 2000s. Miami has won five national championships in total, making it one of the most successful programs in the history of college football. The Hurricanes’ rivalry with Notre Dame and Penn State is rooted in those years of dominance, with Miami’s national title aspirations often thwarted by these two schools.
For Miami fans, watching programs like Notre Dame and Penn State fight for a national championship, especially in their own stadiums, is a reminder of missed opportunities. The 1980s were a golden era for college football, and for Miami, those years represented the peak of their program’s success. To see teams like Penn State and Notre Dame competing for titles during those years—while Miami was left on the outside looking in—can be frustrating.
Despite his personal disdain for both programs, Irvin did offer praise for the game itself. His post acknowledged the high level of play on display in the College Football Playoff Semifinals, even if it wasn’t the outcome that Hurricanes fans were hoping for. The game was, without a doubt, one of the most exciting matchups of the season, featuring two well-coached teams that left everything on the field. For college football fans, it was a thrilling spectacle, and Irvin, ever the football enthusiast, couldn’t help but appreciate the action.
While Irvin’s frustrations are understandable, especially for someone with such a deep connection to the Miami program, it’s clear that the rivalry between Miami, Penn State, and Notre Dame will always be a part of the Hurricanes’ history. The past may have been full of missed opportunities, but it has also shaped the identity of Miami football. The Hurricanes have been through highs and lows, and their legacy is built on overcoming adversity and proving their place among the elite programs in the country.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame will face off against the winner of the other semifinal, and whether the Fighting Irish can claim their first national title since 1988 remains to be seen. For Miami fans like Michael Irvin, it’s another chapter in the long-running rivalry, one that will surely continue to fuel the competitive spirit of Hurricanes fans for years to come.
As for the Hurricanes, they will regroup and continue their pursuit of greatness. With a strong recruiting class and talented players already on the roster, Miami’s time to contend for another national championship may come sooner rather than later. In the meantime, Irvin and other Hurricanes fans will continue to reflect on the past and, perhaps, look forward to a future where Miami can once again stake its claim as a national powerhouse.
