Western Michigan president: Nothing 'unfair' with last play - ESPN

Western Michigan president Russ Kavalhuna said Sunday that he didn't «discern anything unfair or untoward» with the Big Ten's replay decision that put an extra second on the clock, leading to Michigan's game-winning touchdown pass in Saturday's 13-12 win over the Broncos.

Kavalhuna said that he was up late Saturday night speaking with Big Ten officials, including conference commissioner Tony Petitti.

«He 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.»

On what appeared to be the final play of the game, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood sailed a Hail Mary pass beyond the end zone into the arms of Western Michigan safety Micah Davis. TV replays showed the clock hitting zero with the ball still in the air.

But Big Ten replay officials put a second back on the clock, giving the Wolverines another play.

With the second chance, Underwood threw another Hail Mary, and JJ Buchanan hauled it in for a 47-yard touchdown.

Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor said Sunday that «ultimately, the refs did not cost» the Broncos the game and that people shouldn't feel sorry for his team.

«If we make the mistake of making an excuse, it allows us to be bitter instead of getting better,» he said. «That's where we want to go as a football team.»

The Big Ten stood by the review in a statement released two hours after the game. The league also issued a recording of the replay as it was reviewed by officials in Rosemont, Illinois, showing the game clock at one second when Davis touched the ball.

«It was determined (Davis) started his jump from an established