MAC commish Jon Steinbrecher: Replay officials instructed to use game feed of clock, not replay feed

MAC commish Jon Steinbrecher: Replay officials instructed to use game feed of clock, not replay feed originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher watched the final seconds of the Sept. 12 matchup between Western Michigan and Michigan at Michigan Stadium on television. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood's Hail Mary on the previous play sailed out of the end zone, and there was no time left on the clock viewers saw on the NBC television feed. 

"I was certain that the play would be reviewed," Steinbrecher told The Sporting News. "From there, you're off to the races. You don't know what it's going to show." 

Did anybody expect what happened next? Following an official review that put one second back on the clock, the Wolverines beat the Broncos 13-12 on Sept. 12 on a 47-yard Hail Mary pass from Underwood to JJ Buchanan. On Tuesday, the MAC submitted formal appeals to the FBS oversight committee and the College Football Playoff requesting that Western Michigan be recognized as the winner of the game. 

"You're disappointed it's not being recorded as a 'W' right now," Steinbrecher said. "I think (Western Michigan) made a statement that people will remember." 

Steinbrecher explained what was behind that decision to appeal in an interview with The Sporting News. 

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MAC commissioner discusses appeal of Western Michigan-Michigan 

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The MAC reversed its previous stance with a new statement that read:. "It is now evident that replay protocol was not followed in determining whether time remained on the game clock" at the end of the Michigan-Western Michigan game. 

The statement says the Big Ten replay crew used the clock feed in its replay system – not the game clock displayed on NBC. 

A statement regarding the results of tonight's game between Michigan and Western Michigan. pic.twitter.com/DzJVN2ZLTc— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) September 6, 2026

Is two separate clock feeds the major issue at hand for Steinbrecher? 

"Correct," Steinbrecher said. "There is a protocol to be followed. We're instructed to utilize the game feed. Now, it's a unique situation here. I think the Big Ten may be the only one who is using a replay system that has a feed coming in that includes a clock in it so it has a clock within their replay system. That's kind of where we're at." 

The MAC initially accepted the Big Ten's explanation for putting one second back on the clock after the game. Steinbrecher said the social media backlash did not make an impact on the MAC's decision to appeal. 

"It was working the process," Steinbrecher said. "You take the information you have in the moment, and you make the best choices you can off that information. Then, you continue to seek and gather information to verify or refute where you're at. You continue to do that. Let's make sure this is buttoned up." 

Steinbrecher continues to do work with Western Michigan school officials. On Tuesday, Western Michigan president Russ Kavalhuna released a statement that said: "We can respect the game while asking serious questions." 

Steinbrecher said he admires how Western Michigan has handled the situation – including the players and coach Lance Taylor.  The MAC commissioner also continues to have conversations with the Big Ten.

"I've had great conversations with the Big Ten and all that," Steinbrecher said." Everyone has been open on these things. I think there might just be a difference of opinion."

“The Big Ten stands by the statement released following the conclusion of the Western Michigan at Michigan game and the determination made by the replay officials. We will have no further comment on the matter.”

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Impact of MAC's appeal of Western Michigan-Michigan game 

Steinbrecher – who took over as MAC commissioner in 2009 – has been on the winning side of a controversial Hail Mary finish against a Power 4 school. On Sept. 10, 2016, Central Michigan beat Oklahoma State 30-27 after a rule interpretation led to an extra down. 

"I can almost guarantee that everybody — that most conferences — we've all had experiences when they've favored you and not favored you," Steinbrecher said. 

The appeal process will continue. 

On Tuesday, Michigan dropped out of the AP Top 25. The Wolverines received 69 votes. The Broncos received 12 votes. Steinbrecher said some new protocol questions must be answered in the aftermath of the Michigan-Western Michigan result regardless of the result of the appeal. 

"That's part and parcel of all of this," Steinbrecher said. "Any time you have situations like that, we ought to be informed by them and let's learn from them and what processes, policies and procedures we can put in place to assist us if it would arise again." 

That could entail a few tweaks — like adding tenths of a second to the game clock – but the issue at hands remains. There has to be one clock – not two – in the future. 

"Would it be appropriate to put in tenths of seconds?" Steinbrecher asked. "We went through all that in the basketball world, right? We ultimately got there. I have no doubt we'll end up discussing that whether we'll get there or not. We clearly have to come to an agreement that all of us will use — if there are multiple feeds of clocks — what clock is being the ultimate arbiter? We've got to have agreement on that."