Michigan defeats Western Michigan after disputed clock decision

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Sep 7, 2026, 6:39 PM

Last updated Sep 7, 2026

Michigan defeats Western Michigan after disputed clock decision
Summary

Michigan secured a 13-12 victory over Western Michigan Saturday night following a controversial officiating decision. Officials added one second back to the game clock after a review, allowing the Wolverines to complete a final touchdown pass. The Big Ten stated the correction was based on a side-by-side video review synced with the stadium clock. Critics, including ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, questioned the process because the broadcast television clock showed 0:00 before the catch was made. Western Michigan president Russ Kavalhuna suggested the league should align stadium and broadcast clocks to prevent future confusion. While Western Michigan head coach Lance Taylor declined to criticize the officiating, the discrepancy remains a point of contention for observers.

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By the Numbers
  • Michigan defeated Western Michigan 13-12 on Saturday.
  • A final touchdown pass occurred after officials added one second to the clock.
  • The Big Ten cited a synced strobe system to verify the game clock timing.
  • Western Michigan officials requested that stadium and broadcast clocks be synced in the future.
Latest Updates
  • 6:39 PMYahoo Sports‘The most embarrassing win I’ve ever seen’: ESPN analyst roasts Michigan over controversy
What they're saying
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It’s not just football fans who are confused about the clock controversy in Saturday night’s Michigan-Western Michigan game. Media members are also perplexed. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky isn’t sure why one second was added back to the clock, allowing the Wolverines to escape with a 13-12 win on a Hail Mary, a victory Orlovsky called “probably the…

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