No. 16 Michigan Survives Western Michigan on Second Chance Hail Mary 13-12

Michigan Escapes in Stunning

No. 16 Michigan survived one of the biggest scares of Week 1 on Saturday night, overcoming Western Michigan 13-12 after Bryce Underwood connected with JJ Buchanan on a dramatic 47-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass on the final play of the game.

The Wolverines appeared to be heading toward a stunning upset loss when Underwood’s first Hail Mary attempt sailed out of bounds as the clock appeared to hit zero. Western Michigan players rushed onto the field to celebrate what would have been a historic victory, but officials called for a review of the final play.

Television replays showed the game clock still had one second remaining when Western Michigan defender Micah Davis touched the ball. After the ruling was overturned, Michigan was given another opportunity to run one final play.

Underwood made the second chance count, launching a desperation pass toward the end zone. Buchanan leaped above the Western Michigan defenders, secured the 47-yard touchdown catch and came down in the end zone to give Michigan the improbable victory.

Second-Chance Hail Mary Changes the Game

The controversial ending immediately became the central storyline of the game. The Big Ten later stood by the officials’ decision, releasing a statement approximately two hours after the game along with a recording of the replay review. The conference said the game clock showed one second remaining when the ball was touched by Davis.

Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said the conference and Western Michigan contacted the Big Ten seeking clarification. According to Steinbrecher, the Big Ten provided an explanation along with video and audio confirming the ruling.

The decision ultimately gave Michigan one final opportunity, and the Wolverines capitalized in spectacular fashion.

Western Michigan Nearly Pulls Off Historic Upset

Western Michigan entered the game as a significant underdog, with Michigan favored by 27½ points in coach Kyle Whittingham’s debut. Instead, the Broncos kept the Wolverines uncomfortable throughout the night and came within one play of one of the biggest upsets in program history.

Western Michigan forced three Michigan turnovers, including a late fumble by Underwood. The Broncos also limited the Wolverines’ offense and relied on the kicking game to maintain their advantage.

Western Michigan took its first lead early in the fourth quarter when Dieter Kelly connected on a 39-yard field goal to cap a 20-play drive that consumed 13 minutes and 40 seconds. Kelly later made his fourth field goal of the night with 35 seconds remaining, putting the Broncos ahead 12-6 and forcing Michigan to score a touchdown to win.

Underwood Endures Rough Night Before Delivering

Underwood endured a difficult performance for much of the night before producing the play Michigan desperately needed. He threw an interception in the first half, nearly had two additional passes picked off and lost a fumble at the Michigan 31-yard line with 1:50 remaining.

Despite those mistakes, the highly touted quarterback remained in position to make the decisive play. With Michigan needing a touchdown on its final snap, Underwood delivered the winning throw to Buchanan and rescued the Wolverines from what would have been a stunning defeat.

Western Michigan had never defeated an opponent ranked in the Associated Press Top 20, and the Broncos came remarkably close to ending that drought against a Michigan team that entered the season with major expectations.

The scare also evoked memories of Michigan’s infamous 2007 season-opening loss to Appalachian State. In that game, the Wolverines were 33-point favorites before suffering one of the most memorable upsets in college football history.

Michigan Turns Its Attention to Oklahoma

Michigan will now have little time to dwell on the narrow escape. The Wolverines will host No. 10 Oklahoma next Saturday in a much more demanding test. Western Michigan, meanwhile, will look to rebound when it hosts Monmouth next Saturday.

For Michigan, the 13-12 victory keeps the Wolverines unbeaten, but the dramatic escape exposed plenty of issues the team will need to address before facing a ranked Oklahoma squad. The Wolverines may have survived, but they will need a significantly stronger performance in Week 2.