The Big 12 Conference has publicly acknowledged a series of officiating errors that benefited the Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars in three high‑profile games this season. The conference said the mistakes occurred during the final moments of the BYU‑Notre Dame matchup, a close contest with the University of Central Florida (UCF), and a first‑quarter play against Arizona State University (ASU).
Clock error in the Notre Dame upset
In the November 30 game against the then‑No. 2 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish, BYU took a 28‑24 lead with 1:47 left in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame drove to the eight‑yard line with four seconds remaining and threw an incomplete pass. Eagle‑eyed viewers noted that the stadium clock still displayed 0:01 as the ball hit the ground. The Big 12 later confirmed that time remained on the clock and the replay crew incorrectly cleared the play. The conference pledged a full review of its end‑of‑game officiating process before the next week’s games.
Run‑off controversy against UCF
Against UCF, the game was tied 24‑24 with 11 seconds left when a blocked field‑goal attempt was recovered by UCF kicker Will Stone. As Stone was tackled, his helmet came off and officials threw a flag for a BYU facemask, then applied a 10‑second runoff. Rules analysts explained that a runoff is only required when the helmet removal causes the clock stoppage. Since the clock also stopped for a legal kick‑down, the runoff should not have been assessed. The error sent the game to overtime, where BYU ultimately lost in double overtime after a roughing‑the‑kicker penalty extended UCF’s scoring drive.
Questionable touchdown call versus Arizona State
In the first quarter of the BYU‑Arizona State game, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier fumbled at the one‑yard line. Sione Moa recovered the ball and ran it in for a touchdown. Replay confirmed the fumble and the subsequent score, but the review team failed to notice that the whistle had already blown, indicating Bachmeier was down. Under the rules, the ball cannot be advanced after a whistle, so the touchdown should have been nullified and the ball placed at the three‑yard line for a third‑and‑goal. ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham expressed frustration, noting the officials’ mistake.
Big 12 response and next steps
The conference’s statements on each incident emphasized that the errors were isolated officiating mistakes, not intentional bias. It committed to reviewing its replay and clock‑management procedures to prevent similar issues in future games. BYU’s upcoming matchup against rival Utah in Salt Lake City will be closely watched, as the Cougars sit 4‑1 in the Big 12 race behind Utah’s 5‑0 record.
While the Cougars have benefited from these calls, the Big 12’s acknowledgment of the mistakes underscores a broader concern about officiating consistency in college football. Fans and coaches alike are urging the league to ensure that game outcomes are decided on the field, not by erroneous reviews.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
