NBC, which broadcasted Michigan's controversial win over Western Michigan on Sept. 5, released a statement via studio host John Fanta on Sept. 6, explaining its role in why an extra second was added to the game clock.
Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to JJ Buchanan as time expired for the 13-12, potentially season-saving win. The play, though, came after officials ruled there was still a second left on game clock left after review, which came after the first Hail Mary attempted sailed out the back of the end zone.
Fanta said midway through the Washington-Washington State game — also broadcast on NBC on Sunday,
Sept. 6 — that the network broadcast isn't the official timekeeper of the game. The TV broadcast clock appeared to be out of time, differentiating from the Big Ten's official game clock.
"Now, the official time of the game is kept by the Big Ten," Fanta said. "Our cameras are not the official arbiter of timekeeping within the game. That is the Big Ten and game officials' responsibility. After the game last night, the Big Ten released a statement and raw video from its replay process that showed how and why the decision was made."
John Fanta gives a statement/explanation on behalf of NBC about the Western Michigan-Michigan controversy, the Big Ten, and the clock discrepancy. pic.twitter.com/jn8O6MQaRl
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 6, 2026
Big Ten officials confirmed the NBC broadcast and the official game clock used in the Big Ten's replay center were out of sync, resulting in controversy. The conference also distributed audio and video of the decision-making process after the game.
"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 block, using a direct shot of the game clock in the stadium, was used to determine the final ruling," the Big Ten's statement read.
NBC rules analyst Terry McAuley also pointed out the option that both clocks were out of sync on the broadcast, noting it was the lone explanation for the officials adding time to the game.
It's unclear how the clocks used on the broadcast and in an official scenario are different, or how they potentially become out of sync, but it could be an important point to note moving forward.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBC says broadcast not 'official arbiter' of game clock after Michigan Hail Mary
