BYU walked out of Provo with a dramatic win over Notre Dame, but the game’s ending is already going to live in the controversy column.
The Cougars beat the Fighting Irish on the final play after Notre Dame drove deep into BYU territory in the closing seconds. CJ Carr had just guided the offense down the field in less than two minutes, giving Notre Dame one last shot from the goalline. But his fade to Jaden Greathouse sailed incomplete, and BYU celebrated what became the deciding stop.
That final snap is where things got messy.
Greathouse, who finished with eight catches for 125 yards, appeared to have contact with BYU defender Omar Thornton as the ball arrived. Officials kept the flags in their pockets, and the no-call immediately became the biggest talking point from the night. ESPN rules analyst Matt Austin said on the broadcast that he believed the play should have drawn a penalty.
"I think it warranted a flag," he said. "That'a lot of contact when you're not playing the ball, you're just playing the receiver.
A lot of contact, grabbing the arm. I would have supported a DPI."
NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay also agreed that the play should have been flagged.
There was another wrinkle, too. Replay officials appeared to miss that there was still one second left when Carr’s pass hit the ground, raising the possibility that Notre Dame may have been denied one more snap.
The play was not reviewable, which meant BYU’s win became official once the officials declined to throw a flag. Marcus Freeman did not comment on the no-call.
Notre Dame’s comeback bid ended there, giving the Fighting Irish their first loss of the season and keeping BYU unbeaten.
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