NCAA establishes new replay timing protocol after Michigan-Western Michigan controversy

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The NCAA is establishing a standard timing protocol for replay reviews nationwide, according to ESPN’s Jake Trotter, days after a disputed clock ruling helped Michigan escape with a 13-12 win over Western Michigan.

In a memo from NCAA national coordinator of officials Ron Snodgrass, approved by secretary-rules editor Matt Young, it states that the official time for any game is the time displayed on the in-stadium game clock, but that when a replay review requires time to be restored, the replay official’s decision must be based on the embedded game clock contained within the broadcast’s program feed, or the game-clock graphic if no embedded clock is available.

“The official time for all college football games is the time displayed on the in-stadium game clock,” the memo said. “When a replay review requires time to be restored or otherwise adjusted, the replay official’s decision will be based on the embedded game clock contained within the program feed. If the broadcaster is unable to provide an embedded game clock, the replay official will use the game-clock graphic displayed as part of the broadcast feed.

“This timing protocol should be followed consistently at all institutions and game sites.”

Had that protocol existed Saturday, Western Michigan walks away with a 12-7 win and arguably the biggest upset in program history. But of course, as we now know, none of that happened. The protocol didn’t exist yet, and Michigan got to play on.

In case you needed a refresher: Bryce Underwood’s Hail Mary sailed into the back of the end zone and appeared to fall incomplete as the clock struck zero, an outcome that would have handed Western Michigan its first win over Michigan in program history. Officials reviewed the play, put one second back on the clock, and gave Underwood a second attempt. He connected with JJ Buchanan on a 47-yard touchdown, and Michigan escaped 13-12 instead.

At the time, NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay said on air that his clock, which he’d been told was synced to the stadium’s, showed the ball still in the air when it struck zero, and he had no explanation for why the Big Ten’s replay system showed a different number.

The Big Ten released a statement and video roughly two hours after the game, explaining that Western Michigan’s Micah Davis (No. 18) had started his jump from an established out-of-bounds position and touched the ball with one second still on the clock, citing NCAA Football Rule 4-2-3-a and detailing a strobe-based system the conference says syncs every replay camera, including the one trained on the game clock, 85 minutes before kickoff.

An initial statement from the MAC late Saturday night concluded that the Big Ten provided audio and video that “confirmed the explanation provided.” MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher even offered “congratulations” to the Wolverines and thanked the Big Ten for its transparency. The commissioner may have been joining Western Michigan’s head coach in taking the high road, but the tune has changed.

Steinbrecher filed a formal appeal with the NCAA’s FBS Oversight Committee on Tuesday, arguing that “despite the protocol expressly requiring the replay officials to rely solely upon the game clock displayed on the program feed, the replay crew utilized the unsynchronized replay-system clock and restored time to the game clock.”

The conference argued that Saturday’s result should be counted as a win for Western Michigan for CFP rankings and bowl considerations as the season progresses. The NCAA responded to the appeal by citing Article 3 of its own rulebook, which holds that a game is final the moment the head referee “declares that the game is ended,” leaving no formal path to reverse Saturday’s result, even as the new protocol makes sure the next disputed clock won’t require this much explaining

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