NCAA says Michigan-Western Michigan result ‘would have been different’ if replay protocols were followed

The outcome of Michigan's controversial Week 1 win over Western Michigan "would have been different" if officiating protocols had been properly followed, the NCAA's football oversight committee said in a Wednesday statement.

However, the committee asserted that it "does not have the authority to overturn the contest."

Michigan won 13-12 after the officiating crew put one second back on the clock after the game appeared to be over. The maligned clock decision led to a 47-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to JJ Buchanan that lifted the Wolverines to a victory.

The MAC filed a formal appeal with the NCAA's FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff, asking both to recognize the Broncos as the winner. While that request has not been met, the controversial ending has led to other changes.

Before Week 2 action, the NCAA's secretary rules-editor for football, Matt Young, issued guidance on game timing protocols stating that timing decisions should be based on the "embedded game clock contained within the program feed."

Had that method been followed in the Western Michigan vs. Michigan game, no time would have been put back on the clock. Additionally, the Big Ten has since enhanced its replay…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/