MAC appeals Michigan’s Hail Mary win over Western Michigan
The Mid-American Conference says replay protocol was breached when one second was restored, allowing Michigan a final play.
The Mid-American Conference has formally appealed Michigan’s Hail Mary victory over Western Michigan, asking the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff to recognise Western Michigan as the winner.
The MAC says the replay crew used a clock embedded in its replay system rather than the clock displayed on the programme feed. It argues that this error led to one second being restored and an additional play being awarded.
Michigan used that extra second after its initial Hail Mary attempt fell incomplete. Bryce Underwood then found JJ Buchanan for a touchdown on a second attempt, securing the win. The MAC says the game should have ended without the additional play, with Western Michigan winning 12–7.
In a statement reported by Yahoo Sports, MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said the issue was not a disagreement over how much time should have remained, but an alleged failure to apply the established replay protocol.
The Big Ten previously defended the decision, saying video showed a Western Michigan player touching the ball with one second remaining. Western Michigan has accepted the Big Ten’s decision and said it will not appeal.
The MAC is also seeking corrective action affecting rankings, evaluations and selection deliberations. The available material does not indicate that the NCAA, the FBS Oversight Committee or the College Football Playoff has accepted the requested remedy.
