Saturday’s matchup between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Texas A&M Aggies has been far from an offensive showcase, with both teams going into the second half in a 6-6 tie. And just when it looked like we may see some offense in the third quarter, a very questionable spot came in from the officials on a crucial fourth down play.
In Notre Dame’s first possession in the second half, it looked like the Fighting Irish were finally beginning to gain some momentum to mount a successful scoring drive.
However, when they neared midfield, Texas A&M got a key stop on third down to force a fourth down. Needing just two yards, Notre Dame attempted to go for it and pick up the first down.
It looked like quarterback Riley Leonard got the necessary yardage on a keeper. He very clearly passied the line to gain on the ABC broadcast. However, the officials disagreed, marking him short and giving the ball back to Texas A&M.
How was this not called a Notre Dame first down? 😭 pic.twitter.com/lwpUO51sVT
— betr (@betr) September 1, 2024
It’s important to note that the yellow line on the broadcast is not the official line to gain. Officially, Leonard needed to get to the Texas A&M 49-yard line. But either way, it sure looked like Leonard’s second effort should have given him enough to pick up the conversion.
Even on a replay review, it was determined that there was not enough evidence to overturn the call. As you may expect, most watching the game largely agreed that the call on the field, and later review, was incorrect.
The replay booth at Notre Dame – Texas A&M decided that this replay wasn’t conclusive enough to give Notre Dame a first down.
Scandalously bad. pic.twitter.com/rPMwiiwtWi
— College Football Watcher (@CFBWatcher) September 1, 2024
Notre dame getting hosed lmao Riley Leonard is way over the line pic.twitter.com/x73g1Zfyja
— John (@iam_johnw) September 1, 2024
ACC officials “not having enough” to overturn that Notre Dame 4th down is utterly ridiculous. Not sure how you can look at this and say he was short. pic.twitter.com/hfcnQ0xRFV
— Sideline Films (@SidelineFilmz) September 1, 2024
He absolutely got that first down.
This is why we have replay nowadays. And you still don’t overturn it??
I feel for Notre Dame fans on that one. pic.twitter.com/3R8ulMiHQX
— Brady Hamilton (@BradyH_216) September 1, 2024
Ultimately, Texas A&M wasn’t able to score on the following possession despite the good field position, getting stopped on their own fourth-down attempt. But in a game where points are clearly at a premium, this sure seems like a scoring opportunity that was incorrectly taken away from Notre Dame.
