The Big 12 has acknowledged a significant officiating mistake at the end of BYU’s 28-24 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday night.
Notre Dame had driven deep into BYU territory in the final seconds and faced what appeared to be one final opportunity from the Cougars’ eight-yard line. CJ Carr’s pass intended for Jaden Greathouse fell incomplete, and officials ruled the game over, setting off a celebration at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
But according to the Big 12, it shouldn’t have been over.
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Big 12 Statement After BYU vs. Notre Dame
The conference released a statement Sunday morning saying its review determined there was still time remaining when Carr’s final pass hit the ground.
“Following the Big 12’s review of the final play of Saturday’s Notre Dame-BYU game, it was determined that time remained on the clock when the ball hit the ground and the play was incorrectly cleared by the replay officiating crew,” the conference said.
That means Notre Dame should have been given another play with an opportunity to score a game-winning touchdown.
The Big 12 did not indicate exactly how much time should have remained on the clock, although it looked like it would have been one second, and there’s obviously no way of knowing what would have happened on an additional snap.
Still, it’s a significant admission following one of the biggest games of the college football weekend.
The conference also announced that it will review its procedures following the mistake.
“The Conference will conduct a complete review of its end-of-game officiating process in advance of next week’s games,” the statement concluded.
BYU’s victory stands, moving the Cougars to 6-0 after their massive win over the No. 2 Fighting Irish.
For BYU, it should not take away from what was an epic performance and an incredible game that has huge meaning for the program, and for the entire Big 12 Conference.
