Steve Sarkisian watched Michigan’s finish against Western Michigan and came away surprised by one part of the scene.
The Texas coach was not focused on the disputed second placed back on the clock. He was focused on the thousands of Michigan fans who rushed the field after the Wolverines escaped with a 13-12 win.
Sarkisian was shocked they stormed the field, the Texas head coach told reporters Monday.
Sarkisian acknowledged the questions surrounding the timing review, but he stopped short of judging the officials. He said several clocks and replay angles were involved, and he did not pretend to know every detail behind the ruling.
His response was closer to disbelief over the ending than an accusation aimed at Michigan or the Big Ten.
Michigan received one final second
The chaos started after Bryce Underwood’s first Hail Mary attempt fell incomplete. The stadium clock showed zeroes, and Western Michigan began celebrating what appeared to be a 12-7 victory.
Officials reviewed the play and restored one second. The Big Ten determined a Western Michigan defender touched the ball while established out of bounds before time expired, stopping the clock under the applicable rule. The conference later released synchronized replay footage supporting its decision.
Michigan received another snap.
Underwood launched the ball toward the end zone, where JJ Buchanan came down with a 47-yard touchdown as time expired. The play gave No. 16 Michigan a 13-12 season-opening victory in Kyle Whittingham’s first game as head coach.
Fans poured onto the Michigan Stadium field moments later.
Sarkisian focused on the celebration
Sarkisian expressed sympathy for Western Michigan after the Broncos came within one second of a road upset. He also called the finish memorable.
The field storm still caught him off guard.
Michigan entered the night ranked and playing at home against a Mid-American Conference opponent. Field storms usually follow rivalry wins, major upsets or championship moments. Saturday’s celebration followed a narrow escape in a season opener.
The circumstances surrounding the winning play explain the emotion. Michigan fans saw the game end once, received an unexpected second chance and watched Buchanan make the winning catch on the next snap.
Sarkisian’s reaction captured the other side of the scene. A program with Michigan’s history rarely celebrates a home win over Western Michigan by sending its crowd onto the field.
Western Michigan will not challenge the result
Western Michigan president Russ Kavalhuna questioned the transparency of the replay process after broadcast footage and the conference’s synchronized video appeared to show different timing.
The school later decided against an appeal. Kavalhuna said Western Michigan understood the ruling and wanted to move forward. Broncos coach Lance Taylor also refused to blame the officials for the loss, according to the school’s response reported by Reuters.
The result stands. Michigan is 1-0, and Western Michigan is 0-1.
