Overview
- The controversial finish began Sept. 5 when Michigan’s Bryce Underwood threw an initial Hail Mary that appeared incomplete, replay officials restored one second using a different clock, and Michigan completed a second Hail Mary for a 13-12 victory.
- The committee said Wednesday that instant-replay protocol was not followed on the second-to-last play and that, had the correct procedure been used, Western Michigan would have won.
- The committee reiterated it has no power to change the official result because NCAA playing rules make a referee-declared final score unchallengeable after the game is declared over.
- The NCAA issued clarified timing guidance that replay officials must use the embedded program-feed clock or, if unavailable, the broadcast graphic when restoring or adjusting time, and the Big Ten added live referee-to-replay audio and inside-replay-center video to broadcasts.
- Western Michigan and the MAC have sought recognition for the Broncos in ranking and selection deliberations, and voters or the CFP committee may treat the game differently even though the official record remains a Michigan win.