Following an extensive review of game tapes as well as information supplied by the officiating crew and others in attendance, the WIAC released its findings on the controversial ending to the Oct. 26 football game between UW-La Crosse and UW-Whitewater.

With a less than a minute remaining in the game, UW-La Crosse was in possession of the ball holding a 20-14 lead over UW-Whitewater. UW-La Crosse failed to pick up a first down and prepared to punt. The "ready for play" signal (which is what triggers the start of the 25-second clock) was given by the referee with approximately 30 seconds left on the running game clock. The game clock was then stopped by the referee and side judge with approximately 20 seconds left when it was determined that the 25-second clock had not started. The referee subsequently gave the signal to reset and start the 25-second clock, but chose to delay starting the game clock until the snap of the ball. In so doing, the officials applied NCAA Football Playing Rule 3.2.2-e which stipulates that the game clock is to start at the "snap" in the event the 25-second clock is interrupted.

However, following numerous discussions with the secretary rules-editor for the NCAA Football Rules Committee and others, it has been interpreted that since the 25-second clock had not started, it was therefore not "interrupted" and rule 3.2.2-e would not apply. Furthermore, rule 3.2.2-c permits the referee to "reset and appropriately start the game clock" assuming the referee has positive knowledge of the elapsed time. Consequently, the game clock should have been reset at approximately 30 seconds and the 25-second clock and the game clock started simultaneously.

"Obviously, there is a high degree of probability that the outcome of the game would have been different had the game clock been reset to 30 seconds and both clocks started simultaneously," said Karner. "Nonetheless, there is no provision in the NCAA Football Playing Rules that allows for the outcome of a game to be overturned."

Instead, Whitewater was able to get the ball back near midfield with 10 seconds remaining. The Warhawks tied the game on the final play of regulation on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Randy Borgardt to Andy Rice and went on to defeat La Crosse 23-20 in overtime.

Karner added: "While we do everything we can to prevent errors such as this from occurring, human error, whether it be on the part of officials, clock operators, coaches or players, is an inescapable element of the game. As such, there are numerous mistakes (including officiating errors) in every game played at every level. Even in the NFL, which has the benefit of an extra official and instant replay, there are at least a handful of officiating errors in each game. Unfortunately, this particular error occurred at a crucial point in the game and its effects were compounded by the improbable events that followed in the remaining 20 seconds of regulation play. Much like the Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and NFL, the WIAC is a conference where parity and the competitiveness of the teams has resulted in the magnification of every single mistake."

Karner also had high praise for the professionalism and cooperation exhibited by the administrations of both UW-La Crosse and UW-Whitewater with respect to the conference's inquiry into this incident.