The NCAA has stated it lacks the authority to overturn the outcome of Michigan's Week 1 victory against Western Michigan, despite an appeal from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) seeking to reverse the result.
Western Michigan lost 13-12 in Ann Arbor after Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood completed a 47-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to wide receiver JJ Buchanan as time expired. Moments before the play, Western Michigan players had appeared to secure a game-winning defensive stop as time ran out. However, Big Ten officials controversially added one second back onto the game clock, using a different timing display than the one visible to broadcasters and viewers.
The Big Ten Conference later released a statement and video indicating the final ruling was made by synchronizing a "side-by-side view of the play and the game clock, using a direct shot of the game clock in the stadium."
The MAC, however, filed an appeal with the FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff, requesting that Western Michigan be declared the 12-7 winner. The conference argued that established replay protocol was not followed.
In its statement, the NCAA clarified that "NCAA rules do not have a protocol for overturning the outcome of a game. The FBS Oversight Committee also does not have the authority to overturn the outcome of a game." The organization cited Rule 1-1-3-b, stating, "When the referee declares that the game is ended, the score is final," and Rule 5-2-9, which prohibits changing a rules decision after the ball is next legally snapped or the second or fourth period has ended.
While the game's result stands, the NCAA has taken steps to prevent similar issues. Ron Snodgrass, national coordinator of officials, issued a memo to all teams establishing a standardized protocol for timekeeping. The new policy mandates that the game clock embedded within the broadcast feed will be used for replay reviews. If a broadcast feed does not have an embedded clock, the replay official will use the game-clock graphic displayed within the broadcast.
"The official time for all college football games is the time displayed on the in-stadium game clock," Snodgrass stated in the memo. "When a replay review requires time to be restored or otherwise adjusted, the replay official's decision will be based on the embedded game clock contained within the program feed."
MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher had previously stated that the Big Ten replay crew relied on a clock feed within its replay system, rather than the program feed clock, which led to the extra second being added. He asserted that adhering to the protocol would have meant no additional play would have been awarded, and Western Michigan would have won 12-7.
Western Michigan President Russ Kavalhuna expressed gratitude for the support received and emphasized the university's focus on student-athlete growth and sportsmanship. He stated, "Our job at Western Michigan is to play the game and help our students grow. It's the job of the conferences and the NCAA to enforce the rules."