The Mid-American Conference announced it had submitted formal appeals on Tuesday to recognize Western Michigan University as the winners of Saturday’s game against Michigan, which was won on a controversial last-second play.
It didn’t take the NCAA long to shoot down that idea.
The NCAA, citing its official football rules, told CNN, “When the referee declares that the game is ended, the score is final.”
The Wolverines defeated the Broncos 13-12 on a final-play Hail Mary pass from Bryce Underwood to JJ Buchanan – a play that many believe shouldn’t have happened. A play before, the clock appeared to run out as Underwood hurled a long pass to the end zone that fell to the field incomplete.
A replay review by officials determined there was one second left, despite replays showing the clock appeared to have hit :00 before the play was over. The Big Ten provided an explanation for the call, stating that a clock that was not seen on TV or in the stadium was the official clock and that reading was used to allow the final play.
