The play, which secured a 13-12 victory, became the focal point of a postgame debate after NBC’s broadcast clock appeared to show 0:00, while the official game clock still had time left.
The Clock Discrepancy and Its Implications
During the game, NBC’s broadcast clock and the Big Ten’s official timekeeping system were out of sync, according to the conference. The network’s cameras did not track the official game clock, which was monitored by replay officials using a stadium-mounted camera. Now, the official time of the game is kept by the Big Ten, NBC host John Fanta said during a later broadcast, emphasizing the network’s role as a viewer-facing intermediary rather than an arbiter of timekeeping. Fanta mentioned the discrepancy during halftime of Sunday’s Washington-Washington State game, stating the TV clock is not the official game clock.
NBC says it's not 'official arbiter' of game clock
The Big Ten released video and audio of its replay process, showing a side-by-side comparison of the play and the stadium clock. The footage revealed that officials used a direct shot of the in-stadium clock to confirm there was still time left after the first Hail Mary attempt. As shown in the provided video of what was viewed during the replay process, a side-by-side view of the play and the game block, using a direct shot of the game clock in the stadium, was used to determine the final ruling, the conference stated. The replay official videos, from an angle not shown during the broadcast, appeared to back up the decision that a WMU defender—after he stepped out of bounds—touched the ball when there was a second left on the stadium clock.
Official Responses and Controversy
Western Michigan president Russ Kavalhuna acknowledged the Big Ten’s explanation but expressed lingering concerns. I’ve looked into this pretty closely… I don’t discern anything unfair or untoward in this process,
he said, adding that the decision did not cost the Broncos this game. Kavalhuna, a former federal prosecutor, emphasized his confidence in the process.
However, Fox rules expert Mike Pereira criticized the lack of clear protocols for resolving clock discrepancies. It is my understanding that if there is a discrepancy between the video and replay command center versus the television network video that everybody sees, that replay is to use the TV video,
Pereira told The Athletic. He noted the NFL and UFL follow this standard, but the NCAA’s Instant Replay Case Book does not explicitly address the issue. You use the footage that everybody sees if there is a discrepancy,
he said. The Big Ten’s replay officials defended their decision, stating they relied on the stadium clock’s visual confirmation. The game clock superimposed on the replay monitor was not the primary reference, according to the conference’s statement.
Why did Michigan-WMU refs use a game clock no
The Big Ten’s replay officials used an in-stadium clock to determine the timing of the play, while NBC’s broadcast clock showed 0:00. The conference’s statement clarified that the in-stadium clock was the authoritative source, with the TV clock running a few tenths of a second fast.
Broader Implications for College Football
The controversy has reignited debates about the reliability of replay systems and the need for standardized protocols. Pereira argued that deferring to the public’s view of the clock helps remove the perception that calls could be changed based on video that only officials see. However, the NCAA’s lack of a clear rule on this matter leaves room for interpretation, potentially leading to similar disputes in the future.
As the Big Ten continues to review its procedures, the incident underscores the high stakes of split-second decisions in college football. With the Wolverines’ win now sealed, the focus shifts to whether the conference will adopt new guidelines to prevent such controversies. For now, the game’s outcome stands, but the question of how time is measured—and verified—remains unresolved.
