Notre Dame were denied one final play in their first defeat of the season, a 28-24 loss to BYU. A clock error sits at the centre of it.

The Fighting Irish had first-and-goal from BYU’s 8-yard line with four seconds left, chasing a winning touchdown.

CJ Carr threw to Jaden Greathouse in the end zone, the pass fell incomplete, and the clock ran out. Replay showed the ball hit the ground with one second still on the clock.

Ari Meirov says Notre Dame were robbed of one final play

The officials did not appear to consider adding a second back. Replay made it obvious.

NFL insider Ari Meirov posted the footage, arguing Notre Dame should have had one second for a final play. Terry McAulay, a rules analyst, agreed the officials got it wrong.

“As some have noted, there was indeed :01 on the bug clock when the pass hit the ground (BYU/ND). Replay should have reviewed to determine if the in-stadium clock was at :01 at that point and if so, ND would have had one more play,” he wrote.

No pass interference was called on the play, even though there could have been one.

There is recent precedent for the fix. Michigan trailed Western Michigan 12-7 in Week 1 when Bryce Underwood threw a Hail Mary as time expired. Officials reviewed the clock, added a second, and the Wolverines scored again to win.

Notre Dame would have needed far less. A touchdown pass from eight yards out with a second left was there for them. BYU, ranked eighth, held on for the win against the second-ranked Irish. Notre Dame now have a bye before facing Navy, with Miami to follow.