The Atlantic Coast Conference admitted the replay official erred in not looking at the final play of the North Carolina-Wake Forest game on Friday night, the result being the Tar Heels were denied a final play.
Game officials ruled that running back Michael Carter’s forward progress had been stopped at the Wake Forest 43 as time expired in a 24-18 win for the Demon Deacons.
“Following a review of the available footage provided from the television broadcast, it has been determined that one second remained when the on-field official indicated that the ball carrier’s forward progress had been stopped at the 43-yard line,” ACC supervisor of football officials Dennis Hennigan said in a statement.
“Since the on-field officials ruled that time had expired on the play, the replay official should have stopped the game for further review and put one second on the clock. … All disciplinary measures related to the replay officials are being handled internally and the ACC considers this matter closed.”
North Carolina didn’t have any timeouts but might have gotten a snap off after a replay review as officials would have spotted the ball at the 43 and started the clock on the referee’s signal.
Officials immediately left the field after the final play.
