Breaking down Western Michigan’s incomprehensible lateral play vs. Ball State - 12.12.2020

A 62-second play featuring 16 laterals and a field storm created perhaps the most bizarre finish in college football history.
From the time of the snap until the moment the whistle blew, the play lasted 62 seconds. Perhaps the final play of Ball State’s 30-27 win over Western Michigan was the most bizarre finish we’ve seen in college football history. The ball was exchanged 16 times, the population of the field was over 100 people at its peak, and nobody knew who won for several minutes following the conclusion of the play.
Here’s a full breakdown of the madness which ensued Saturday in Muncie, IN:

https://www.hustlebelt.com/2020/12/15/22173662/ball-state-cardinals-western-michigan-broncos-lateral-play-fumble-field-rush-skyy-moore-maction

How do you add chaos to what just happened on the field? Just cut out the live feed completely immediately after the touchdown.
Well, after about 5 minutes of not knowing who won the game, it was determined that one illegal forward pass by Western Michigan prevented the most absurd lateral play from resulting in a touchdown. Ball State, despite drawing arguably the greatest sideline interference penalty in history, still got to celebrate after downing Western Michigan, 30-27, while punching a ticket to Detroit for the MAC Championship Game.