NCAA will not recognize stats accrued in Michigan-WMU game; who are the biggest losers?
The NCAA will not recognize statistics accumulated by the Michigan and Western Michigan football teams in their season opener last week, Michigan announced Saturday evening.
"The NCAA informed both Western Michigan and Michigan earlier this week that based on the NCAA Football Rules Book, it will keep the records of both teams, score of the game and attendance, but will not recognize the statistics from last Saturday's opening game due to the game not completing the third quarter," a statement said.
The schools terminated their game last week with 1:27 remaining in the third quarter and Michigan leading 34-10 due to sustained lightning in the area. They mutually agreed to hold the score and name the Wolverines the winner.
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said all stats and results would stand. However, the NCAA said it will throw them out because the third quarter was not completed.
As part of the ruling, the NCAA gave Michigan and Western Michigan the option to maintain statistics accrued in the game. They each took it, as did the Big Ten and Mid-American Conference.
“Therefore, there will be a one-game discrepancy in statistical information between the NCAA and both schools/conferences moving forward,” the statement read.
Among those who lose out the most in the decision:
- Sophomore running back Fitz Toussaint, who had 11 rushes for 80 yards and two touchdowns in his debut as the team’s lead tailback.
- Junior quarterback Denard Robinson, who rushed eight times for 46 yards and was 9-of-13 passing for 98 yards.
- Senior linebacker Brandon Herron, who became the first defensive player in school history to score two defensive touchdowns. He had the longest interception return for a touchdown in Michigan history (94 yards) and also returned a fumble 29 yards for another score.
- Junior safety Jordan Kovacs, who had a career-high 10 tackles, two sacks, one pass breakup and he also forced the fumble that led to Herron’s second touchdown.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
15crown00
Mon, Sep 12, 2011 : 12:10 a.m.
The NCAA is totally irrelevant.
scott
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 : 6:50 p.m.
Who cares, we still got to see LOTS of TV commercials!
Hailmary
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 : 4:53 p.m.
That's okay because there is one stat. that stands regardless of what the NCAA agrees on and it's the one stat. they can't screw Mich out of, no fan, football player on either team or staff member was killed or injured by that storm.
David Vande Bunte
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 : 11:49 a.m.
So, the NCAA recognizes that Michigan won the game 34-10, but officially, both teams gained 0 yards? If the NCAA was going to choose to not keep any stats for the game, wouldn't it also be logical to not count the win/loss as well? OR, if it chooses to recognize the win/loss, then the stats accrued should count. It's simply illogical to count the game but not the stats acquired within it.
umgoblue47
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 11:39 p.m.
i'am shocked! the NCAA can't police all the illegal crap going on in college football, but they can police the stats just fine! maybe college football should stop recognizing the NCAA!!!
MRunner73
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 11:33 p.m.
It may not count in the NCAA stats but remains on the each team's books. A very dumb rule by the NCAA. The stats should stand per NCAA because each school agreed to terminate the game with 1:27 left after no chance of resuming the game due to inclement weather. So, the NCAA could simply put an asterisk in there. The decision by the NCAA is self contradictory, typical of them; always inconsistent.
BlueGator
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 11:28 p.m.
Theoretically could hurt Denard in the Heisman race, but that's an extreme long shot to begin with. Plus his stats from that game weren't all that dazzling anyway. Nothing can be done about it. Rules are rules, etc.