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Miami's Elija Lofton Out for Championship vs. Undefeated Indiana

1/17/2026

45 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Miami tight end Elija Lofton will miss the College Football Playoff championship game against Indiana on January 19 due to a lower-body injury.
He recorded 23 catches for 218 yards and three touchdowns.
Miami will miss Malik Bryant, Daylyn Upshaw, and Donta Simpson.
Xavier Lucas is unavailable for the first half due to a targeting ejection.
The Hurricanes face a 15-0 Indiana squad led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.

History

Historical Context

The College Football Playoff (CFP) was established in 2015, revolutionizing postseason college football. The inaugural championship on January 11, 2016, saw Alabama defeat Clemson 45-40, attracting 33,000 fans and generating $500 million in revenue. This shift in playoff structure has significant implications for team strategies and recruitment, particularly for teams facing undefeated rivals like Indiana, led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.

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Story summary

Miami tight end Elija Lofton will miss the College Football Playoff championship game against Indiana on January 19 due to a lower-body injury.
He recorded 23 catches for 218 yards and three touchdowns.
Miami will miss Malik Bryant, Daylyn Upshaw, and Donta Simpson.
Xavier Lucas is unavailable for the first half due to a targeting ejection.
The Hurricanes face a 15-0 Indiana squad led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.

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