Miami Hurricanes tight end Elijah Lofton exited the College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Ole Miss Rebels in the second quarter of the Fiesta Bowl. The tight end suffered a huge hit while catching a reception. He was carted off the field and then to the lockerroom.
The moment happened when Miami quarterback Carson Beck was facing a 3rd & 7 situation. Beck threw a 15-yard pass to Lofton, who took a hit from Ole Miss safety Wydett Williams Jr. That was the only reception Lofton received in the game.
As far as the game is concerned, Miami leads Ole Miss 17-10 with two remaining to halftime. Beck has looked great so far, completing 14 of 18 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown. Receiver Keelan Marlon has proved to be his most important pass-catcher, as he has caught four receptions for 78 yards and one touchdown.
The winner of this game will get to face the winner of the Peach Bowl between Indiana and Oregon.
When Miami HC Praised Elijah Lofton For Bounceback Performance
During the 2025 season, there was a period where Elijah Lofton was not able to show his full potential, resulting in lackluster game logs. Up until the first eight games of the season, the tight end zero touchdowns to his name. However, in the 41-7 win against the NC State Wolfpack, he caught a 29-yards touchdown pass.
After the win, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal praised Lofton’s mental toughness and consistency, noting that even when slowed by minor injuries, the tight end keeps coming and keeps contributing.
“Well, I think he deserves a lot of credit because he has played through some pretty good injuries and nicks and bumps or whatnot that have slowed him down,” Cristobal said. “But he’s never complained. He just keeps showing up. And has it hindered him some? It has, but he still keeps coming. When you make a play like that, it can really start the momentum to some bigger and better things.
“So his approach has never, ever wavered. He is a guy that’s very strong-minded. We’re counting on for continued high-level play, and I think it’s coming his best steps ahead of him, but again. I’m really proud of the guy, because he’s fought through a lot, and his future here is really, really bright. So looking forward to more to come.”
In 2025, Lofton, a sophomore from Las Vegas, Nevada, caught 22 receptions for 203 yards and three touchdowns. He has played all games this season. In 2024, he caught nine receptions for 150 yards and one touchdown.
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