Western Michigan appeared to secure a stunning upset victory over Michigan on Saturday night, leading 12-7 as time expired. However, a replay review proved controversial when officials added one second back to the clock following an incomplete Hail Mary pass, allowing Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood one final opportunity. Underwood then connected with receiver JJ Buchanan for a game-winning touchdown, dramatically reversing the outcome.
The Big Ten defended the replay decision in a statement released Sunday, but the Mid-American Conference took a different stance. MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher announced Tuesday that the conference had filed a formal appeal with the NCAA, arguing that replay protocol was not properly followed during the clock review. According to the MAC, officials should have used the primary game clock feed rather than an alternate system to determine if time remained.
Steinbrecher stated that had the correct protocol been applied, no additional play would have been awarded and Western Michigan would have won 12-7. The MAC requested that the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and College Football Playoff recognize Western Michigan as the actual winner for ranking and selection purposes. The conference also asked for any other corrective action within the NCAA’s authority.
The Big Ten countered by noting that video evidence showed a Western Michigan player touching the ball from an out-of-bounds position with one second remaining on the clock. Reversing a game result after completion would be nearly unprecedented in college football, placing the ultimate decision in the hands of the NCAA.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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