Last week’s college football game between Michigan and Western Michigan ended controversially. A Hail Mary touchdown secured Michigan’s 13-12 win after referees added one second to the game clock following a review. This decision sparked backlash, with critics questioning the Big Ten’s handling of the situation.

Not everyone accepted the outcome quietly. Urban Meyer, a college football coach, criticized the immediate response during the postgame press conference. Speaking on the ‘Triple Option Podcast,’ Meyer expressed his doubt, questioning the presence of Western Michigan’s president at the conference. He felt that voices of the athletic director, the coach, and most importantly, the players, were missing. Meyer argued that the players were the ones who played the game and their feelings and reactions were crucial.

The AD, the president, and the coach did not win that game. You know who did? The players. I want to hear from them. Your heart was just taken from you.

In response to the furor, Western Michigan’s president, Russ Kavalhuna, and head coach, Lance Taylor, spoke at a press conference a day after the match. Kavalhuna explained a discrepancy between the clock seen by broadcasters and the one used by reviewers. He sought a way to appeal the ruling but found no appeals were permitted. He acknowledged the emotional toll on the Broncos players, noting their ‘gut-wrenching pain’ from the loss.

During his podcast appearance, Meyer questioned how a coach talks to players after such heartbreak, yet he stressed the need to move forward. He commended Western Michigan’s team, stating that they outperformed Michigan, especially in the second half.

‘The reality is, Western Michigan has a really good team. … They were the better team on the field in Ann Arbor, and certainly in the second half they were,’ Meyer remarked. He emphasized that in the fourth quarter, the Broncos from the Mid-American Conference were the better team.

Looking ahead, Western Michigan plans to overcome this setback in their upcoming game against Monmouth on Saturday. Meanwhile, Michigan is set to face the No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners.