Big 12 Concedes Mistake in Notre Dame-BYU Ending
The Big 12 Conference acknowledged on Sunday that officials erred in the final moments of No. 2 Notre Dame's 28-24 loss at BYU on Saturday night, confirming that the Fighting Irish should have been granted one additional play. The admission came after former NFL referee and current NBC Sports rules analyst Terry McAulay publicly flagged the mistake, and ESPN rules analyst Matt Austin said on the ABC broadcast that a defensive pass interference penalty should have been called on the game's final play.
According to the Big 12's review, the stadium clock showed one second remaining when Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr's final pass fell incomplete in the end zone, but the game was ruled over. Replay officials had the authority to review the clock situation and restore time, but did not intervene. The conference's statement confirmed that Notre Dame had time for one more snap, which would have given the Irish a chance to attempt a game-winning touchdown or a short field goal.
The Missed Penalty
Compounding the clock error, officials did not throw a flag for defensive pass interference despite what appeared to be significant contact between a BYU defender and Notre Dame wide receiver Jaden Greathouse in the back of the end zone. Austin told viewers that the play "warranted a flag" and that he "would've supported a DPI." McAulay also noted on social media that the replay officials missed a clear opportunity to correct the clock. BYU coach Kalani Sitake, meanwhile, praised his team's pressure on the play, saying, "They wanted some pressure, we gave it to him, it worked out for us."
Why the Ending Matters
The controversy carries outsized stakes because of what was on the line. Notre Dame entered the game ranked No. 2 and needed a win to keep its College Football Playoff path clear. The loss drops the Irish to 7-2 and likely knocks them out of the top spot in the playoff picture, at least temporarily. For BYU, the upset win over a top-two team represents a signature victory that could reshape the Big 12 race and the Cougars' own playoff résumé.
The Big 12's admission is significant because the conference has now formally acknowledged an error that directly affected the outcome of a game involving a playoff contender. Such admissions are rare but not unprecedented; conferences occasionally issue statements after reviewing controversial endings, though they typically stop short of saying the result would have changed. In this case, the Big 12 confirmed only that one more play should have been run, not that Notre Dame would have scored.
A Pattern of Late-Game Controversy
The ending also reignites broader debates about replay review and officiating accountability in college football. The sport has increasingly relied on replay officials to fix clear errors, but the Notre Dame-BYU sequence shows the limits of that system when the on-field crew and the replay booth both fail to act. The missed pass interference call is harder to correct because pass interference is not reviewable under current rules, leaving the Irish with no recourse even if the contact was obvious.
Notre Dame has been at the center of officiating and scheduling debates before, including recent comments from ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit that sparked backlash among Irish fans. The program's independent status and national profile mean its games routinely draw heightened scrutiny, and Saturday's ending will only intensify calls for the program to reconsider its scheduling and conference affiliation.
What Comes Next
The immediate fallout will focus on the Big 12's officiating crew and whether the conference takes any disciplinary action. The Big 12 has not announced whether the officials involved will face consequences, and it is unlikely to do so publicly. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is expected to address the ending at his next media availability, though he has little recourse beyond expressing frustration.
For the College Football Playoff selection committee, the loss complicates Notre Dame's résumé. The Irish still have opportunities to impress, but a second loss leaves little margin for error. The committee has historically valued wins over ranked opponents and conference championships, and Notre Dame's independence means it cannot rely on a conference title game to bolster its case.
BYU, meanwhile, will try to build on the win as it navigates a competitive Big 12 schedule. The Cougars' victory over Notre Dame gives them a marquee result that could carry weight in the committee room, provided they avoid a letdown. The Big 12's admission may also add a layer of controversy to the result, but it will not change the record books: BYU 28, Notre Dame 24.
As college football enters the stretch run of the 2026 season, the Notre Dame-BYU ending will serve as the latest example of how officiating errors can shape the playoff race. The Big 12's admission provides clarity on what should have happened, but it offers no remedy for the Irish, who now must live with a loss that could have been avoided.
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