Michigan’s controversial win just forced an NCAA replay change. Now the MAC wants more

The controversial ending of the Western Michigan-Michigan game Saturday, Sept. 5, is causing the NCAA to change its review process.

According to a memo obtained by USA TODAY Sports, the NCAA is implementing a more standardized process for replay reviews involving game-clock adjustments. The NCAA clarified the stadium clock remains the official game clock while establishing a uniform replay protocol that relies on embedded broadcast timing data when officials need to restore or adjust time.

The clarification stems from the final sequence of Michigan's season-opening victory in coach Kyle Whittingham's debut.

Western Michigan appeared poised for a stunning 12-7 upset when Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood launched a Hail Mary into the end zone as time expired.

However, replay officials determined a Western Michigan defender who had stepped out of bounds was the first player to touch the ball. Under NCAA rules, the clock should have stopped the moment he touched it.

After reviewing multiple synchronized timing feeds, the Big Ten replay crew concluded one second remained on the clock and awarded Michigan a final play.

On that extra snap, Underwood connected on another Hail Mary, turning an apparent defeat into a dramatic 13-12 walk-off victory.

The decision sparked days of…

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