Michigan’s Hail Mary Win Over Western Michigan Is Final — And NCAA Rules Say It Stays That Way

Western Michigan’s football program is grappling with a painful reality after its 13-12 loss to Michigan at Michigan Stadium on Sept. 9: the result cannot be changed, no matter how questionable the finish was.

The game ended on a last-second Hail Mary from Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood to receiver JJ Buchanan. But the play never should have happened under the Broncos’ view of events. One snap earlier, Underwood’s first Hail Mary attempt appeared to hit the turf as the game clock reached zero — only for officials to restore one second to the clock and give Michigan another chance.

The timing decision drew immediate criticism from the broadcast booth. NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay said the network’s in-stadium clock, which he described as synchronized with the actual stadium clock, showed the ball nowhere near a player when it hit zero. He noted the officials’ Hawk-Eye system apparently produced a different synchronization, yielding the extra second.

Under the NCAA’s 2026 football rulebook — Rule 1, Section 1, Article 3, paragraph b — the matter is settled: “When the referee declares that the game is ended, the score is final.” The only path to erasing the result would be an NCAA vacancy due to a rules violation, and even then the game would not be recorded as a Western Michigan win.

Broncos coach Lance Taylor declined to escalate the controversy, noting that several replay reviews during the game went his team’s way and saying he would leave the matter to the commissioner’s office. Western Michigan president Russ Kavalhuna said the school plans to discuss the play with the NCAA, while acknowledging limited recourse: “This football team deserves a second look, if that’s possible.”

The game aired on NBC, part of the college football coverage from Comcast Corporation (CMCSA), whose shares closed at $26.49, down 0.64% from a prior close of $26.66, with a market capitalization of roughly $94.4 billion.

What to watch

• Whether the Mid-American Conference or NCAA issues any public comment following Western Michigan’s planned discussions about the officiating.
• Any officiating protocol adjustments from the Big Ten or conference coordinators regarding clock synchronization procedures.
• Both teams’ upcoming schedules, as Western Michigan looks to rebound in nonconference play.

Source: original release