Northern Illinois has a right to be upset after the controversial finish against Coastal Carolina in the Cure Bowl.

Down 47-41, Northern Illinois drove the length of the field and faced a 4th-and-1 at Coastal Carolina’s 8-yard-line. Quarterback Rocky Lombardi took the snap, and he threw a quick out to the tight end Miles Joiner.

The officials said that Joiner caught the ball in bounds for a first down, and NIU tried to get set up for the last play of the game — a potential game-tying touchdown. However, the clock appeared to start as soon as the ball was set down by the referee. Isn’t the clock supposed to start on the officials whistle? Even the broadcaster mentions that below in the replay, but it started too early. That meant that NIU couldn’t get the final snap off before time expired.

It’s worth pointing out that the receiver was down with 4 seconds to play before losing 2 more seconds.

Check this finish out:

Again, it appeared the clock started too early when the official set the ball down. Time expired and NIU couldn’t get the potential game-tying play off.

Coastal Carolina won its first bowl game in program history.