NCAA cannot overturn Western Michigan loss after replay protocol breach
The NCAA says Big Ten replay and end-of-half timing procedures were not followed in Michigan’s 13–12 win, but the result will stand.
The NCAA’s FBS oversight committee has said it cannot overturn Western Michigan’s 13–12 loss to Michigan, despite finding that Big Ten instant replay protocols were not followed during the game’s closing sequence.
The committee said the outcome would have been different had the protocols been followed, but it does not have the authority to alter the recorded result. Michigan won after officials restored one second following an incomplete Hail Mary attempt.
The stadium clock and NBC’s broadcast clock showed zeroes when Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood’s first pass went out of the back of the end zone. The additional second allowed Michigan another Hail Mary, which produced the winning touchdown.
Western Michigan had asked the NCAA and College Football Playoff to recognise it as the actual winner. The school later confirmed it would not appeal the 13–12 defeat.
The NCAA has since issued standardised timing guidance for college football. It states that the official time is the in-stadium clock, while replay officials must use the embedded game clock in the programme feed when reviewing an adjustment. If that is unavailable, officials must use the game-clock graphic in the broadcast feed.
