Western Michigan president insists Broncos won disputed Michigan game

Western Michigan president insists Broncos won disputed Michigan game

On 9 September in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Western Michigan University president Russ Kavalhuna said the Broncos should be recognized as the winners of the 13-12 loss to Michigan, despite the NCAA and College Football Playoff committees stating that existing rules bar retroactive changes. The dispute stems from a Big Ten replay review on 6 September that added one second to the game clock, allowing Michigan to complete a Hail-Mary touchdown and claim a 13-12 victory.

The Mid-American Conference commissioner later urged the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff to declare Western Michigan the victor. In response, the NCAA introduced a standardized replay-timing protocol using the broadcast clock, and the Big Ten announced expanded live audio replay reviews for future games.

Actors

Russ Kavalhuna Lance Taylor Jon Steinbrecher Tony Petitti Western Michigan University Mid-American Conference Big Ten Conference NBC

Locations

Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States

Articles

September 09, 2026
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Western Michigan president maintains the Broncos won the contested game against Michigan
Western Michigan president maintains the Broncos won the contested game against Michigan

CBS Sports • 09 Sep 23:17

Western Michigan University president Russ Kavalhuna said the Broncos should be recognized as winners of the 13-12 loss to Michigan, while the NCAA and College Football Playoff committees say existing rules prevent retroactive changes.

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Big Ten expands live audio replay reviews after disputed Michigan game finish
Big Ten expands live audio replay reviews after disputed Michigan game finish

247Sports • 09 Sep 22:35

The conference will now broadcast live audio between referees and replay officials for more games, including all Nebraska matchups, following criticism of a clock-related decision in the Michigan-Western Michigan game.

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NCAA adopts uniform replay timing rule after Michigan-Western Michigan controversy
NCAA adopts uniform replay timing rule after Michigan-Western Michigan controversy

CBS Sports • 09 Sep 14:22

The NCAA introduced a standardized replay timing protocol that uses the broadcast-embedded game clock, following a disputed finish to Michigan's win over Western Michigan.

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Broadcast clock mismatch leads to Michigan's one-second win over Western Michigan
Broadcast clock mismatch leads to Michigan's one-second win over Western Michigan

Yahoo Sports • 09 Sep 11:15

A discrepancy between the television clock and the stadium clock gave Michigan an extra second, allowing a final play that secured a 13-12 victory, prompting analyst Kirk Herbstreit to acknowledge the confusion.

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September 08, 2026
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Mid-American Conference Appeals to NCAA Over Michigan Game Clock Decision
Mid-American Conference Appeals to NCAA Over Michigan Game Clock Decision

Fox News • 08 Sep 22:30

The MAC has filed an appeal with the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff, arguing that replay protocol errors gave Michigan an extra play that changed the outcome of its game against Western Michigan.

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Mid-American Conference asks NCAA to recognize Western Michigan as winner over Michigan
Mid-American Conference asks NCAA to recognize Western Michigan as winner over Michigan

NBC Sports • 08 Sep 19:13

The MAC commissioner urged the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff to treat Western Michigan as the victor after a disputed replay decision added a final play that led to Michigan's win.

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Mid-American Conference Appeals Michigan win over Western Michigan over replay timing error
Mid-American Conference Appeals Michigan win over Western Michigan over replay timing error

The New York Times • 08 Sep 18:34

The MAC says a replay-timing mistake gave Michigan an extra second that led to a last-second touchdown, and it is asking the NCAA and CFP to overturn the result.

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September 07, 2026
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College football’s most controversial finishes revisited after Michigan’s win over Western Michigan
College football’s most controversial finishes revisited after Michigan’s win over Western Michigan

CBS Sports • 07 Sep 18:56

A review of several historic college football games with disputed endings highlights how officiating errors have repeatedly influenced outcomes, from a fifth-down win in 1990 to recent clock and replay controversies.

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Michigan defeats Western Michigan amid Big Ten clock controversy and fan field rush
Michigan defeats Western Michigan amid Big Ten clock controversy and fan field rush

Fox News • 07 Sep 13:13

Michigan secured a win over Western Michigan after a late Hail Mary, prompting debate over the conference's official game clock and a subsequent fan rush onto the field.

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September 06, 2026
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Western Michigan officials accept Big Ten replay decision after Michigan Hail-Mary win
Western Michigan officials accept Big Ten replay decision after Michigan Hail-Mary win

cbssports.com • 06 Sep 21:36

Western Michigan University president and football coach said they will move forward after a Big Ten review added one second to the clock, allowing Michigan to score a game-winning touchdown.

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