The Big Ten explained its reasoning for why a second was added to the end of the Michigan and Western Michigan game that resulted in a controversial victory for the Wolverines.
It looked like the biggest upset of Week 1 was complete when Michigan's Hail Mary attempt was no good, resulting in a 12-7 victory for the Broncos. However, the officials ruled there was still time on the clock, granting the Wolverines one last chance. On the last play, Bryce Underwood's heave found the hands of JJ Buchanan for a 41-yard Hail Mary touchdown in a miracle finish for the Wolverines.
While a stunning end, there's questions over how there was still time left when
it looked like Western Michigan secured a win, leading to plenty of conspiracy and cheating beliefs across the college football world.
In response, the Big Ten defended the decision and explained why.
"Following video review, it was determined Western Michigan's #18 started his jump from an established out-of-bounds position (left foot) and made contact with the ball with one second remaining on the clock. 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 clock, using a direct shot of the game clock in the stadium, was used to determine the final ruling," the Big Ten said in a statement.
"Eighty-five minutes prior to the game, all broadcast cameras used for the replay system, including the camera on the game clock, are synced using a strobe system to ensure all cameras are aligned," it added.
The Big Ten cited NCAA football rule 4-2-3-a that a "ball not in player control, other than a kick that scores a field goal, is out of bounds when it touches the ground, a player, a game official or anything else that is out-of-bound, or that is on or outside a boundary line."
A statement regarding the results of tonight's game between Michigan and Western Michigan. pic.twitter.com/DzJVN2ZLTc
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) September 6, 2026
Even though it didn't result in a win for his conference's team, MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said he and Western Michigan officials reached out to the Big Ten and it explained and confirmed the decision.
"I commend Western Michigan for the outstanding effort and a well-played game, and I offer my congratulations to Michigan," he said in a statement. "I also appreciate the collaborative efforts of the Big Ten office and its prompt response in reviewing the play and providing the requested clarification."
Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor said postgame he knew when he looked at the clock, "it was past zeros before we touched it."
"I knew that they would review it," he said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big Ten explains decision that led to controversial Michigan win
