NCAA issues verdict on controversial Michigan-Western Michigan finish

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Sep 11, 2026 2:06 PM ET

It doesn’t seem that the Michigan Wolverines’ win over the Western Michigan Broncos is going to change.

MAC commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher issued an appeal to the NCAA, saying that the replay protocol was not followed. This came days after Michigan was given one more second, which led to a Hail Mary touchdown pass that gave the Wolverines the stunning 13-12 win in Ann Arbor.

However, the appeal isn’t going to work after the NCAA released a statement on Tuesday evening.

“NCAA football playing rules do not have a protocol for overturning the outcome of a game. Cites Rule 1-1-3-b Winning Team and Final Score. Also: The DI Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee also does not have the authority to overturn the outcome of a game.”

From the NCAA, which states there’s no protocol for reversing the outcome of a game. The oversight committee does not have that authority.

Western Michigan appeared to have won the game as the clock hit zero, but replay operators said there was one second left, which led to the game-winning pass from Michigan QB Bryce Underwood.

However, fans weren’t buying the extra second that was added back to the clock, and the full sequence shows several videos where the clock was at zero.

Despite a frustrating loss, Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor took the high road in the postgame news conference, although the MAC felt the need to appeal after the way things went down.

So, all signs point to Michigan getting the win regardless of how much the MAC wants to appeal, although this is one of the more controversial moments in college football in a long time.