The Mid-Atlantic Conference took official action opposing the result of this past weekend's Western Michigan-Michigan game, submitting a formal appeal to recognize the Broncos as the true winners of Saturday night's matchup. Jon Steinbrecher released a statement saying “replay protocol was not properly followed” by the officiating crew in Ann Arbor. The officiating crew put one additional second back on the clock after what was initially believed to be a game-winning defensive play for Western Michigan.
On the final play of the game, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood completed a miraculous Hail Mary touchdown to give the Wolverines a 13-12 final score. "Had the protocol been properly followed and the program-feed clock been used, no additional play would have been awarded, and Western Michigan would have won the game, 12–7," Steinbrecher said in his statement on Tuesday. Western Michigan fully supported its conference's commissioner with a statement of its own.
"Commissioner Steinbrecher and the MAC have taken important action today in college football," school president Russ Kavalhuna said in a statement. "The support we have received from across the country for Coach Taylor and our Broncos, for their character and their sportsmanship, has been overwhelming, and we are grateful for it." "Some have read our actions as weak. However, supporting student-athletes and their growth during a time of adversity is strength," Kavalhuna added.
"Being bitter doesn't make you better and this should not be mistaken for weakness or agreement. We can show respect for the game while also asking serious questions; I've done both, and I'll keep doing both. "Our jobs at Western Michigan is to play the game and help our students grow.
It's the job of the conferences and the NCAA to enforce the rules. Our Broncos will continue to take the field against any opponent."
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