Big Ten explains controversial ending to Michigan-Western Michigan

The ending of the Michigan football and Western Michigan game was controversial. While it was exciting for fans of the maize and blue, with the walk-off Hail Mary, there was an argument to be made that the Wolverines should not have been given a final play, with one second added back to the game clock.

However, the Big Ten disagrees with those who say it shouldn’t be the case.

The conference released a late statement following Michigan’s 13-12 win over the Broncos, saying that the referees acted properly in adding a second to the clock.

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You can read the full statement with the provided video below:

ROSEMONT, Illinois — Following video review, it was determined Western Michigan’s started his jump from an established out-of-bounds position (left foot) and made contact with the ball with one second remaining on the clock. As shown in the provided video of what was viewed during the replay process, a side-by-side view of the play and the game clock, using a direct shot of the game clock in the stadium, was used to determine the final ruling.

ROSEMONT, Illinois — Following video review, it was determined Western Michigan’s started his jump from an established out-of-bounds position (left foot) and made contact with the ball with one second remaining on the clock. As shown in the provided video of what was viewed during the replay process, a side-by-side view of the play and the game clock, using a direct shot of the game clock in the stadium, was used to determine the final ruling.

Eighty-five minutes prior to the game, all broadcast cameras used for the replay system, including the camera on the game clock, are synced using a strobe system to ensure all cameras are aligned.

Per NCAA Football rule 4-2-3-a, “A ball not in player control, other than a kick that scores a field goal, is out of bounds when it touches the ground, a player, a game official or anything else that is out-of-bound, or that is on or outside a boundary line.” and thus the clock is stopped.

Eighty-five minutes prior to the game, all broadcast cameras used for the replay system, including the camera on the game clock, are synced using a strobe system to ensure all cameras are aligned.

Per NCAA Football rule 4-2-3-a, “A ball not in player control, other than a kick that scores a field goal, is out of bounds when it touches the ground, a player, a game official or anything else that is out-of-bound, or that is on or outside a boundary line.” and thus the clock is stopped.

The Wolverines have tended to be on the wrong side of similar calls, such as the ‘Spartan Bob’ game against MSU in East Lansing. Certainly, Michigan won’t apologize for winning, but it also isn’t happy that it took a Hail Mary to beat Western Michigan, either.

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