Big 12 Acknowledges Officiating Mistake in BYU-Notre Dame Finish
The Big 12 said its replay officials made a mistake on the final play of BYU's 28-24 win over Notre Dame. The conference determined that time should have remained when an incomplete pass hit the ground, and it plans to review its end-of-game officiating procedures. Notre Dame's last pass fell incomplete as the clock expired, and a possible pass interference call was also not made.
The Big 12's statement followed a review of the final snap. According to the conference, the replay crew wrongly cleared the play even though time was still on the clock when the ball landed. The game ended with CJ Carr's pass to Jaden Greathouse incomplete.
Notre Dame also saw no flag when BYU's Evan Johnson contacted Greathouse before the ball arrived. A pass-interference call would have put the ball inside the 5-yard line. Coach Marcus Freeman avoided sharp criticism. Officiating analyst Mike Pereira called the clock error embarrassing, and discussion referenced a prior Michigan-Western Michigan finish where an extra second was wrongly restored.
The ruling may affect trust among Notre Dame fans, BYU supporters, players, and officials, as controversial endings can intensify scrutiny of replay systems. It could also prompt conferences to tighten end-of-game procedures, potentially influencing how viewers and bettors perceive fairness. Coaches and athletes may face renewed questions about outcomes decided by officiating, while broader audiences may debate whether technology and rules are applied consistently.