The University of Michigan edged out Western Michigan by a single point, 13‑12, in a game that sparked a surprising controversy over the official game clock.
The Final Second
Coaches Kyle Whittingham of Michigan and Barry Odom of Purdue expressed astonishment at the discrepancy between the stadium clock and the time shown on television, yet both ultimately accepted the Big Ten’s explanation that the officials’ decision was correct.
The conference’s Hawkeye system was deployed to review the final play, confirming that Western Michigan safety Micah Davis made contact with the ball while airborne from an out‑of‑bounds position with just one second remaining, which triggered the addition of an extra second to the official clock.
By comparing the visual evidence with the game clock side by side, the officials ensured the final score reflected the true outcome, and the Big Ten emphasized its commitment to transparent communication of such rulings.
Mid‑American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher and Western Michigan President Russ Kavalhuna acknowledged the explanation but urged greater openness in future contests, while the two new Big Ten coaches described the episode as a valuable learning experience.