Western Michigan president Russ Kavalhuna said that he didn't see anything "unfair or untoward" about the Big Ten's replay center putting one second back on the game clock before Michigan's game-winning touchdown Saturday, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter.
Kavalhuna added that he spoke with Big Ten officials, including commissioner Tony Petitti, late into Saturday night.
"(Petitti) was gracious enough to let me talk with some of his staff who are over this issue," Kavalhuna said. "And it is just a discrepancy. What the viewing public see and what the reviewing officials see are different, and that's clear."
The Broncos initially appeared to secure a monumental upset win after a Hail Mary pass by Bryce Underwood went beyond the end zone and into the hands of Western Michigan safety Micah Davis. TV replays showed the game clock at zero before any player made contact with the ball.
However, Big Ten replay officials restored the game clock to one second following a review. Underwood then heaved another Hail Mary and connected with Michigan receiver JJ Buchanan for a 47-yard touchdown, giving the Wolverines a 13-12 victory.
The Big Ten backed the replay center's decision in a press release issued two hours after the final whistle.
"It was determined (Davis) 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. ... A side-by-side view of the play and the game clock, using a direct shot of the game clock in the stadium, was used to determine the final ruling." the conference said in a statement.
MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said that the review process was properly followed and resulted in the correct outcome.
"I have confidence in the integrity of the process and integrity of the people involved," Steinbrecher told Trotter. "The process was followed, and given that, you have to go with that decision."
