Notre Dame Robbed By Clock Error And Missed Penalty Call

In a tumultuous game between Notre Dame and BYU, officials made two grave errors that ultimately cost the Fighting Irish their chance to secure a crucial victory. The No. 2 team, trailing 28-24, lost the contest due to a clock error and a missed penalty call. With the game on the line, replay officials were supposed to review the situation and award Notre Dame an extra play, but their oversight shifted the outcome significantly.

The stadium clock displayed only one second remaining when the final pass hit the ground, yet the game was called over. Furthermore, despite substantial contact in the end zone, the potential defensive pass interference call was ignored by the crew on the field. ESPN rules analyst Matt Austin stated on ABC that the play merited a flag, highlighting the excessive contact without playing the ball.

The lack of a flag and the clock error combined to deny Notre Dame the chance to win the game. Former NFL referee Terry McAulay, now with NBC Sports, confirmed the error on X, stating that the replay officials had the opportunity to correct the time. He argued that if the clock showed one second, Notre Dame would have had an additional play to try for a touchdown or field goal.

This single oversight could have altered the final score and the game's outcome. The missed call on the field compounded the clock issue, as Jaden Greathouse's pass from Quarterback CJ Carr was deemed incomplete despite Greathouse appearing to be held by a Cougars defender. BYU coach Kalani Sitake praised his team's pressure on the play, acknowledging that the officials failed to see the contact that would have extended the drive.

The loss pushed Notre Dame to a 28-24 defeat, removing them from the second spot in the rankings and presenting them with a much harder road toward the College Football Playoff. BYU, remaining unbeaten at 7-0, capitalized on the victory, leading the offense with Bear Bachmeier's impressive performance that included two rushing touchdowns, one passing touchdown, and one receiving touchdown.

The Cougars now face a November 7 showdown with rival Utah, aiming for a top-five ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll. For Notre Dame, the focus shifts to rectifying mistakes before their next game, as the clock and officials may not offer another opportunity for redemption.