LocalSportsJournal.com
The West Michigan Ironmen entered Saturday’s contest in Omaha needing a win to remain in solid contention for a final postseason spot.
But a controversial call by game officials may have ended the Ironmen’s playoff chances.
West Michigan fell to the Omaha Beef 42-39 on a game-winning 29-yard field goal by Omaha’s Tucker Milliken with two seconds remaining.
Prior to that play, the Beef attempted a 24-yard field goal with five seconds left, but a bad snap caused their holder to recover a fumble and take a time out with two seconds remaining.
There was confusion about whether the time on the clock should have expired after the botched field-goal attempt, or whether the Ironmen should have gained possession after that play.
But the referees gave Omaha a second field-goal chance, it was good, and the game was over.
The loss for the Ironmen was their fourth straight, dropping their record to 3-8 on the season with one game left.
West Michigan will close out the regular season on Friday on the road against the Bloomington Edge. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
The Ironmen trailed 14-6 after the opening quarter and 17-12 at halftime. They took their first lead of the game with 8:03 left in the third quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Korey Ringer.
West Michigan led 26-23 heading into the fourth quarter, which was a see-saw battle.
The Ironmen took a 32-26 lead on a two-yard scoring scamper by Ringer with 8:17 left in regulation.
Omaha tied the game 32-32 on a nine-yard touchdown run by Skylar Scott with 5:52 left.
West Michigan regained a 39-32 lead with 3:04 remaining on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Alex Carder to Corey Johnson, and a PAT kick by Jose Diaz.
The Beef retied the game 39-39 with 1:22 left on a seven-yard run from Scott.
The Ironmen turned the ball over on an interception with 45 seconds left, allowing the Beef to get the final field goal attempt and win.
