Replay protocol lapses in Michigan's last-second touchdown would have altered outcome, NCAA committee says

The NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee concluded that replay officials did not follow correct procedures on the penultimate play of Michigan's victory over Western Michigan, and that the game's outcome would have been different if they had. The committee said it cannot overturn the result, as rules prohibit appeals after the referee declares the game final. The Mid-American Conference had asked for the result to be changed, while the Big Ten stood by the officials' decision.

The dispute centered on a timing discrepancy between the game and replay clock feeds versus the broadcast's program feed. NCAA secretary-rules editor Matt Young subsequently issued a clarification mandating that replay officials use the embedded clock in the program feed when restoring time, falling back to the TV game clock graphic only if that feed is unavailable.

In response to the controversy, the Big Ten has expanded live replay look-in access, allowing viewers to hear replay conversations during conference home games staffed by Big Ten officials. The MAC had formally requested the result be overturned, but the committee confirmed rules bar any appeal once the referee declares a game final.