The Orange Bowl appeared like a spring sport for the clock operator.
Referees consistently needed to cease the sport throughout Notre Dame’s 27-24 win over Penn State to inform the clock operator to accurately regulate the clock, with that particular person seemingly forgetting to cease the sport timer so the chain gang might transfer ahead on first downs.
“Notre Dame had a first down. Game clock operator, please rest the game clock to one minute, twenty six seconds. Following a first down, we stop the clock under two minutes,” the referee mentioned in a sequence aired on the nationwide broadcast with the rating tied at 24 within the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.
There was one other occasion during which Penn State had the ball with 38 seconds lin a tie sport and working again Nicholas Singleton scampered for a 15 yard keep it up first all the way down to get the drive began.
Whereas the Nittany Lions had been working a hurry-up offense, the referee needed to cease the momentum to inform the clock operator so as to add time again on, because it wasn’t accurately stopped after the primary down.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar would throw a foul interception on the very subsequent play, organising the Combating Irish for a game-winning area purpose.
The “Pat McAfee Show” crew was furious on the back-and-forth between the referees and clock operator, placing them on blast on ESPN’s alternate broadcast.
“This operator, man,” Darius Butler mentioned. “This has got to be his last game.”
“[Notre Dame kicker] Mitch Jeter on the sideline also wondering what is going on with the clock,” McAfee added. “This is unbelievable. I can’t believe it.”
Followers had been upset watching the clock operator mess up a seemingly simple job through the School Soccer Playoff semifinal conflict.
“Battle of the century between ref and clock operator at Orange Bowl,” X person @jjolly74 posted.
“We are witnessing legendary hall of shame performance from this clock operator,” one other X person, @statsbywill mentioned.
Notre Dame overcame a 10-0 deficit to advance to the title sport, whereas Penn State went residence questioning what went fallacious within the defeat because the clock hit zero on their season.