MAC Files Appeal with NCAA over WMU's Loss to Michigan, Says Replay Protocol Wasn't Followed

Another layer was added to the controversy surrounding Michigan's last-second win over Western Michigan in Saturday night's season opener.

The MAC filed a formal appeal with the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee on Tuesday, asserting that "replay protocol was not properly followed" at the end of Saturday's game and requesting that Western Michigan be recognized as the winner.

Big Ten Addresses Controversial Clock Ruling

The Wolverines entered the year ranked No. 16 in the AP Top 25, but they needed some extra help to avoid a major upset against the Broncos.

After Bryce Underwood's Hail Mary pass sailed out of bounds as time expired, one second was put back on the clock following a disputed replay decision. Underwood's second Hail Mary attempt was caught by JJ Buchanan for a 47-yard touchdown to give Michigan a 13-12 victory. Despite the win, the Wolverines were knocked out of the Top 25.

The Big Ten stood by the controversial replay review in a statement released two hours after the game.

"It was determined Western Michigan No. 18 started his jump from an established out-of-bounds position [left foot] and made contact with the ball with one second remaining on the clock," the statement said, citing the rule that stops the clock on such contact.

Western Michigan president Russ Kavalhuna told ESPN's Jake Trotter that the Big Ten's replay review process isn't "as good as it could be."

"And that's because what the [TV] viewers see in a pivotal question is different than what the review process shows," Kavalhuna said. "Is there a real reason why we can't have those things equal? And if there is, let's try and fix that. And if there isn't a real reason why we can't have those things synced up, then we should sync them up so that everybody who's watching at home doesn't start to wonder what happened."

It now appears that the MAC isn't willing to go down without fighting to rectify the situation for the Broncos. Western Michigan will try to bounce back against Monmouth on Saturday, while Michigan will face a tough test against No. 11 Oklahoma.