MAC wants Michigan’s win overturned after reversing course on end of game controversy

Rather than relying upon the designated game clock displayed on the program feed, the Big Ten
replay crew relied upon a separate clock embedded within its replay system. The two clock feeds
were not synchronized.

The game clock displayed on the program feed showed that the clock had expired. The clock
embedded within the replay system, however, showed time remaining. Despite the protocol
expressly requiring replay officials to rely solely upon the game clock displayed on the program
feed, the replay crew utilized the unsynchronized replay-system clock and restored time to the
game clock.

That decision resulted in Michigan being awarded one additional play. On that play, Michigan
scored a touchdown, changing the outcome of the game from a 12–7 Western Michigan victory
to a 13–12 Michigan victory.

This is not simply a disagreement over the proper amount of time to place on the clock, nor is it a
judgment concerning an officiating call. It is a failure to follow an established and specific replay
protocol designed expressly to govern end-of-half timing situations.