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By Bryan Colbert Jr.
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Sometimes an unforeseen loss can be a much-needed lesson for a team.
Now, one of the best Miami wide receivers ever, is hoping the Hurricanes most recent loss is just that.
Michael Irvin was in South Bend on Saturday to watch Miami fall behind Notre Dame by 21 points and still get a shot at the end zone with a chance to tie.
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Two days later, the former Hurricanes receiver went on ESPN’s "First Take" with a prediction about what the loss would mean for his old team.
“We lost the battle, but ultimately this will help us win the war,” Irvin said.
Notre Dame’s 31-24 win cost Miami its unbeaten record and the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press poll.
The Hurricanes dropped to fifth on Sunday. But the loss came outside the ACC, leaving Miami 6-0 in conference play with three regular-season games left.
A team that reached last season’s national championship game still has a chance to play its way back there.
The Hurricanes had reason to regret two possessions in particular.
In the second quarter, they had first-and-goal at the Notre Dame 1. Three runs produced no gain, and Miami settled for a 19-yard field goal. By halftime, those were its only points.
The second opportunity came after quarterback Darian Mensah brought Miami back without injured receiver Malachi Toney. Mensah threw for 276 yards and three second-half touchdowns. Cooper Barkate caught two of them, and tight end Elija Lofton caught the other on his way to a 113-yard night.
On fourth-and-6 from the Notre Dame 18, Mensah went back to Lofton in the end zone. Safety Luke Talich broke up the pass, and the incompletion stood after review.
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Miami won’t have to wait long to test Irvin’s optimism.
Duke visits Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, giving Mensah his first game against the team he led to its first outright ACC championship since 1962.
A year ago, his 34 touchdown passes helped Duke win that title. Now the Blue Devils stand between him and a 7-0 conference start with Miami.
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