NBC says broadcast not ‘official arbiter’ of game clock after Michigan Hail Mary

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…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/