Down 31-24 at midfield with just one minute to play, No. 15 Louisville had to a chance to convert a fourth-and-1 to extend their game against No. 16 Notre Dame. But a costly flag was thrown that spelled their doom in South Bend.
With 1:10 remaining in the game on the aforementioned fourth-and-1, the Cardinals had a chance to go for any number of plays to get the three feet needed. But QB Tyler Shough stepped back from the line as the play clock wound to zero and they got penalized for “delay of game” and forced to move back, making the play a fourth-and-6. On the ensuing play, Shough’s pass to Caullin Lacy fell incomplete, turning the ball over on downs and allowing the Fighting Irish to kneel down for the win.
Fans were dumbfounded by the penalty with many calling it one of the worst they’ve ever seen and some calling it the first time that a team had ever taken a delay of game in a situation that important:
The Cards shoot themselves in the foot with a costly DELAY OF GAME! Then Shough forces a questionable pass into double coverage, but no PI is called.
No. 16 Notre Dame takes down No. 15 Louisville, 31-24. pic.twitter.com/cOKBJSlTfE
— 35KYSports (@35KYSportsMedia) September 28, 2024
“Louisville commits a delay of game on 4th and 1 trying to do a QB sneak. Oh no,” The Athletic’s Chris Vannini wrote.
“Louisville just committed the most egregious delay of game I have ever seen,” wrote another.
“Louisville coach should be fired immediately. How do you get a delay of game in that situation?” a third said.
“Louisville is playing like a poorly coached football team. You CANNOT take a delay of game there. It’s a QB sneak FFS,” a fourth wrote.
There’s a chance that Louisville wouldn’t have been able to tie, let alone win the game even if they had converted the fourth-and-1. But the loss is likely going to haunt them for the rest of the season.
Related: Jerry Jones Reacts To Mike McCarthy’s Fourth Down Call