Notre Dame Denied Final Play in Controversial BYU Loss as Clock Error and DPI Non-Call Stun Irish

Home field advantage proved decisive in the closing moments of BYU’s 28-24 upset victory over No. 2 ranked Notre Dame.

During the final play, officials failed to flag what appeared to be defensive pass interference, and more critically, one second remained on the play clock after an incomplete pass hit the ground.

The clock in the end zone showed one second remaining. The stadium clock also displayed one second.

While the DPI non-call generated discussion on the broadcast, there was no mention that the game should not have ended following the failed first-and-goal attempt.

With one second still on the clock, Notre Dame deserved one final opportunity to attempt a game-winning play.

This controversy echoes a similar incident six weeks prior, when Michigan utilized replay review to restore time on the clock. In this case, despite the clear error in timing, no correction was made to address the prematurely ended game.

Any team that finds itself in a tightly contested game accepts the risk of an unjust result. Nevertheless, Notre Dame was disadvantaged in two distinct ways during the final moments of Saturday night’s matchup.

That sequence should not have marked the conclusion of the game.

BYU maintained their lead after 59 minutes and 59 seconds of play. The outcome of a potential final second will forever remain unknown.

Source link