NCAA says Michigan Hail Mary win would have gone to Western Michigan

Michigan won the game 13-12.

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood’s first Hail Mary fell incomplete.

The NBC broadcast clock showed 0:00 when a Western Michigan defender touched the ball.

Western Michigan led 12-7 and began celebrating.

Big Ten replay officials put one second back on the clock.

Big Ten officials said a Western Michigan defender jumped from out of bounds and touched the ball with one second left.

The Big Ten used a stadium-clock camera that showed 0:01 at contact rather than the program-feed clock that showed 0:00.

Underwood then threw a 47-yard touchdown to JJ Buchanan.

The NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee issued a statement on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

The committee said it consulted national officiating leadership about instant replay protocols.

The committee said instant replay protocols were not followed on the game’s second-to-last play.

The committee said that had the protocols been followed, the outcome of the game would have been different.

Under that protocol Western Michigan would have won 12-7.

The committee said it does not have the authority to overturn the contest.

NCAA Rule 1-1-3-b says that when the referee declares the game ended, the score is final.

NCAA Rule 5-2-9 says no rule decision may be changed after the next legal snap, free kick, or the end of the second or fourth period.

The Mid-American Conference initially accepted the Big Ten’s explanation after the game.

The MAC later asked the NCAA and the College Football Playoff to recognize Western Michigan as the winner.

NCAA secretary-rules editor Matt Young issued guidance that replay timing decisions must use the embedded game clock in the program feed.

If the broadcaster cannot provide an embedded game clock, replay officials are to use the broadcast game-clock graphic.

The Big Ten said it stands by its replay officials’ determination.

The network and Big Ten said the television clock was not synced with the stadium game clock.

Michigan is ranked No. 19.

Michigan beat then-No. 10 Oklahoma 17-10 in Week 2.

Western Michigan beat Monmouth 49-14.