The Big 12 announced in a statement published October 18 that one second should have been returned to the clock at the end of the Notre Dame-BYU game played Saturday night. The correction would have provided Notre Dame with one final play to attempt a win.
Officials originally ruled that the game had concluded after Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr threw an incomplete pass to Jaden Greathouse in the end zone. That ruling resulted in a 28-24 victory for No. 8 BYU. However, replays indicated the ball hit the ground with one second remaining, which would have granted No. 2 Notre Dame an additional play on second down.
The Big 12 stated that a review determined time remained on the clock when the ball hit the ground and noted the replay officiating crew incorrectly cleared the play. The conference said it will conduct a complete review of its end-of-game officiating process before games next week.
Because Notre Dame is an FBS independent, its games are officiated by the leagues of its opponents.
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman described the final play as chaos, though he was not asked about the clock issue and appeared to focus on a non-pass interference call regarding BYU cornerback Evan Johnson.
This incident marks the second high-profile clock ruling this season. In a previous season opener, the Big Ten ruled that the stadium clock showed one second remaining during a game between Western Michigan and Michigan, allowing the Wolverines to win on a Hail Mary despite the NBC broadcast clock appearing to expire.
