Michigan Football: NCAA Creates Michigan-Western Michigan Statistical Nightmare

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson enters Saturday's matchup with Eastern Michigan leading the nation in total offense. Official NCAA statistics show Robinson at 446 yards per game, 108 rushing and 338 passing.

Sound fishy? Sure it does. One look at the official Michigan statistics at mgoblue.com show Robinson's total offense figures at 295 yards per game.

The problem occurred when Michigan's game with Western was terminated with 1:27 left in the third quarter because of persistent lightning in the area.

According to NCAA rules, three quarters of a game must be completed before the stats are deemed official. Since a game has never been cancelled in the 132 year history of the Wolverines, it's understandable that Michigan officials weren't necessarily aware of the rule.

"All the records and stats will go into the books as if it's a complete game," said Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon in his post-game press conference.

The game was cancelled during the second lightning delay as a downpour soaked the few remaining fans at Michigan Stadium. "We terminated the game early for the safety of the fans and players," Brandon added. At the time Michigan was in command, 34-10, and the cancellation made sense.

Ironically, Eastern Michigan postponed it's Saturday night game with Howard University until Sunday.

Just for clarification, the Michigan athletic department released the following: 

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"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. Both programs and their respective conferences were informed they have the right to keep the game's statistics as a part of their respective records.  After discussion, WMU, Michigan, the Big Ten and the Mid-American Conference have mutually agreed to keep the statistics as a part of their records for the 2011 season and beyond. Therefore, there will be a one-game discrepancy in statistical information between the NCAA and both schools/conferences moving forward."

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Perhaps the biggest losers in this fiasco are Michigan linebacker Brandon Herron and Western receiver Jordan White.

In his first collegiate start, Herron returned a fumble and an interception for defensive touchdowns. No where in the NCAA's statistics package is Herron listed.

White, who caught 94 passes a year ago, could lose the 12 passes he caught against Michigan in the eyes of some All-America voters who only view NCAA records.

Sounds far-fetched, but it's the NCAA who dropped the ball this time.