Dave Portnoy Slams MAC’s ‘Disgusting’ Appeal Over Michigan’s Hail‑Mary Win

When the clock hit zero on Saturday night, the Michigan Wolverines seemed to have lost to the Western Michigan Broncos, 12‑7. Then, out of nowhere, a replay official added one second, giving quarterback Bryce Underwood a chance to launch a Hail‑Mary that found the end zone. The play turned a loss into a 13‑12 win, and the whole thing set off a firestorm.

Now the Mid‑American Conference (MAC) has decided it’s not done. In a statement released on Tuesday, the MAC announced it would appeal the result to the NCAA, arguing that the replay protocol wasn’t followed correctly. The conference wants the game officially recorded as a Western Michigan victory.

Enter Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports and the outspoken owner of the New York Mariners. On his popular “Pardon My Take” channel, Portnoy didn’t mince words. He called the MAC’s move “fair and square…disgusting,” and he warned the conference that trying to rewrite history would only make them look like sore losers.

“Listen, I love the underdog story, but this isn’t an underdog moment—it’s a nightmare for the MAC,” Portnoy said, leaning back in his chair, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “You can’t just say ‘we’ll just appeal and magically change the scoreboard.’ It’s a mess, and it’s going to look really bad for you.”

Portnoy’s tirade didn’t stop at the MAC. He also aimed his sarcasm at the conference commissioner, Jon Steinbrecher, reminding him that the game had already been ruled final by the Big Ten officials. “You guys already accepted the result, and now you’re going back on it? That’s not how we play,” he added.

Fans have taken sides, of course. Some argue the extra second was a clear error that swung the game, while others claim the replay crew did their best under chaotic circumstances. The NCAA, for its part, has already signaled that it won’t overturn the result, essentially closing the door on the MAC’s request.

What does this mean for the rest of the season? For Michigan, the win—controversial as it may be—still counts, keeping them undefeated heading into the next week. For Western Michigan, the sting remains, but the Broncos can now focus on moving forward instead of replaying the night’s drama.

Portnoy, ever the provocateur, wrapped up his commentary with a classic Barstool sign‑off: “If you’re going to try to rewrite history, at least do it right. Otherwise, just move on.” His words resonated with a large chunk of the college‑football audience, many of whom are tired of endless hearings and want the games to stay on the field.

Whether the MAC’s appeal was a genuine attempt to seek justice or a desperate move to appease its own fans, the episode has already cemented its place in the annals of “clockgate” moments. And somewhere between the replay monitors and the barstools, Dave Portnoy will keep reminding everyone that sports are supposed to be decided on the field—not in conference boardrooms.