By Benson Daniel
No. 16 Michigan escaped one of the biggest potential upsets of the opening weekend after a controversial final play gave the Wolverines another chance to defeat Western Michigan 13 12 in a dramatic college football finish.
Western Michigan appeared to have completed a stunning upset at Michigan Stadium when Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood’s first Hail Mary attempt sailed beyond the end zone as the clock showed zero.
The Broncos began celebrating what would have been a historic victory, while Michigan players appeared to accept that their comeback attempt had fallen short.
Officials, however, called for a replay review and subsequently determined that one second remained on the clock.
The decision immediately changed the mood inside the stadium. Michigan was handed one final opportunity, and Underwood made it count.
With the Broncos defending against another Hail Mary, Underwood launched a 47 yard pass towards the end zone. Wide receiver JJ Buchanan leapt above the defenders and secured the ball for the winning touchdown, sending the Michigan crowd into celebration.
The result sparked an immediate debate over the timing decision.
Television replays appeared to show the game clock reaching zero while the football was still in the air during the first Hail Mary. The Big Ten, however, later released video and audio from the replay review and said officials determined Western Michigan safety Micah Davis touched the ball with one second remaining.
The conference said Davis had started his jump from an established position out of bounds and that his contact with the ball stopped the clock under the relevant rule.
The Mid American Conference, where Western Michigan plays, subsequently said it contacted the Big Ten for clarification and received an explanation and supporting footage.
For Western Michigan, the defeat was particularly painful because the Broncos had controlled much of the game and repeatedly frustrated Michigan’s offence.
Michigan entered the contest as a heavy favourite but struggled to establish consistent control. The Wolverines committed three turnovers, while Western Michigan forced two fumbles and an interception.
The Broncos also held the ball for more than 40 minutes and limited Michigan to 276 total yards.
Western Michigan built its advantage through a series of field goals and took a 12 7 lead with less than a minute remaining after Dieter Kelly converted his fourth field goal of the night.
Michigan then needed a touchdown to avoid a shocking defeat.
Underwood moved the Wolverines into position with a 28 yard completion to Buchanan before spiking the ball with nine seconds remaining. The quarterback’s first desperation throw appeared to end the game, but the replay ruling kept Michigan alive.
Underwood made no mistake on the second opportunity, finding Buchanan for the decisive touchdown.
The victory gave new Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham a win in his debut, although the performance exposed significant problems that will need to be addressed quickly.
Michigan will now turn its attention to a much tougher test against No. 10 Oklahoma, with the Wolverines needing a substantial improvement if they are to challenge among the leading teams in college football.
For Western Michigan, the defeat will be remembered as one of the most agonising losses in the programme’s history. The Broncos were seconds away from one of their greatest victories before a replay decision and a second Hail Mary dramatically changed the outcome
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