NCAA declares it cannot overturn outcome of game following Western Michigan’s appeal

The NCAA declared Tuesday night that it, along with the FBS Oversight Committee, does not have a protocol for overturning the outcome of a completed game. On3’s Pete Nakos reported the news. This comes after the MAC issued a formal appeal to recognize Western Michigan as the winner against Michigan in the season opener. The appeal came after Michigan won the game 13-12 thanks to a controversial Hail Mary touchdown pass thrown by Bryce Underwood. Per the NCAA’s statement, it does not have the authority to overturn the outcome of a game that has already concluded. “When the referee declares that the game is ended, the score is final,” Rule 1-1-3-b Winning Team and Final Score in the NCAA Football Rules Book states. In a statement released Tuesday morning, the MAC revealed that “replay protocol was not properly followed” to determine whether time remained on the game clock. “The established replay protocol requires that the game clock displayed on the program feed be used in determining whether time remained. Instead, the Big Ten Conference replay crew relied upon the clock feed embedded within its replay system. As a result, one second was placed back on the game clock, and an additional play was awarded,” MAC commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher said in the statement. “This was not a judgment regarding the proper amount of time to place on the clock. It was an error in the application of the established replay protocol governing this specific end-of-game timing situation. Had the protocol been properly followed and the program-feed clock been used, no additional play would have been awarded, and Western Michigan would have won the game, 12–7. “As a result, the Mid-American Conference has submitted formal appeals to the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff. The MAC is requesting that those bodies recognize Western Michigan as the actual winner of the game for purposes of their respective rankings, evaluations, and selection deliberations, and take such other corrective action as may be within their authority.” Big Ten stands by replay process in aftermath of ‘Bail Mary’ Tuesday afternoon, the Big Ten said it stood by the replay process and it would not comment further on the situation. They did not address the appeal process mentioned in the MAC’s statement in the process. “The Big Ten stands by the statement released following the conclusion of the Western Michigan at Michigan game and the determination made by the replay officials,” the statement read. “We will have no further comment on the matter.” On Sunday, Steinbrecher spoke to ESPN and said that the review process was properly followed. “I have confidence in the integrity of the process and integrity of the people involved,” Steinbrecher said at the time. “The process was followed, and given that, you have to go with that decision.” Just days later, however, his sentiment has gravely changed. It appears as if the win will remain with Michigan, as it heads into its Week 2 matchup against No. 11 Oklahoma. The Wolverines fell from No. 16 to unranked in this week’s AP Top 25 poll following the game. On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this article.