The Orange Bowl looked like a spring game for the clock operator.
Referees continuously needed to stop the sport during Notre Dame’s 27-24 win over Penn State to inform the clock operator to accurately adjust the clock, with that individual seemingly forgetting to stop the sport timer so the chain gang could move forward on first downs.
“Notre Dame had a primary down. Game clock operator, please rest the sport clock to 1 minute, twenty six seconds. Following a primary down, we stop the clock under two minutes,” the referee said in a sequence aired on the national broadcast with the rating tied at 24 within the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.
There was one other instance through which Penn State had the ball with 38 seconds lin a tie game and running back Nicholas Singleton scampered for a 15 yard carry on first right down to get the drive began.
While the Nittany Lions were running a hurry-up offense, the referee needed to stop the momentum to inform the clock operator so as to add time back on, because it wasn’t accurately stopped after the primary down.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar would throw a nasty interception on the very next play, organising the Fighting Irish for a game-winning field goal.
The “Pat McAfee Show” crew was livid on the back-and-forth between the referees and clock operator, putting them on blast on ESPN’s alternate broadcast.
“This operator, man,” Darius Butler said. “This has got to be his last game.”
“[Notre Dame kicker] Mitch Jeter on the sideline also wondering what is happening with the clock,” McAfee added. “That is unbelievable. I can’t imagine it.”
Fans were upset watching the clock operator mess up a seemingly easy job in the course of the College Football Playoff semifinal clash.
“Battle of the century between ref and clock operator at Orange Bowl,” X user @jjolly74 posted.
“We’re witnessing legendary hall of shame performance from this clock operator,” one other X user, @statsbywill said.
Notre Dame overcame a 10-0 deficit to advance to the title game, while Penn State went home wondering what went fallacious within the defeat because the clock hit zero on their season.
