No. 16 Michigan narrowly avoided a stunning upset on Saturday night, defeating Western Michigan 13-12 after a controversial instant replay review added one second back to the game clock at The Big House. Given an unlikely second chance following an initial incomplete Hail Mary that saw Western Michigan players celebrate on the field, quarterback Bryce Underwood heaved a 47-yard touchdown pass to JJ Buchanan as time expired. One for the history books right here,
Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham said of the dramatic finish.
Michigan Escapes Upset With Last-Second Hail Mary
The Wolverines entered the matchup as 27 1/2-point favorites in Whittingham’s debut. However, Western Michigan controlled the tempo and threatened to pull off what would have been Michigan’s biggest upset loss since a 2007 defeat against Appalachian State. The Broncos relied on a stingy defense, forcing three turnovers and kicking four field goals. Dieter Kelly, a junior-college transfer from the College of San Mateo, converted a 39-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to cap a 20-play drive that consumed 13 minutes and 40 seconds of clock, putting Western Michigan ahead 9-7. Kelly added his fourth field goal with 35 seconds remaining to push the advantage to 12-7.
Controversial Replay Review Sparks Debate
The game’s defining moment hinged on a clock adjustment after Underwood’s first desperation heave sailed out of bounds. While television replays appeared to show the clock hitting zero before the ball touched a defender, game officials initiated a review and restored one second to the clock. I definitely thought the game was over because there were zeroes on the clock,
Underwood admitted.
The Big Ten defended the decision in a statement released two hours after the game, publishing a recording and video footage demonstrating that Western Michigan defender Micah Davis started his jump from an established out-of-bounds position and made contact with the ball with one second remaining. According to the conference, rule provisions dictate that contact with an out-of-bounds player stops the clock. Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher stated that his office sought clarification and subsequently received video and audio proof from the Big Ten confirming the ruling.
Struggles and Looking Ahead
Despite opening the contest with a polished scoring drive—highlighted by a direct snap scramble and capped by an extra point from Trey Butkowski—Underwood endured a difficult outing. The sophomore quarterback threw an interception in the first half, lost a fumble at his own 31-yard line with 1:50 left in regulation, and narrowly avoided multiple other interceptions while accumulating just 95 passing yards before the final possession. This isn’t on Bryce Underwood,
Whittingham noted. It’s on me.
Defencive end Dom Nichols described his feelings about the contest by saying he felt sick to his stomach.
Western Michigan finished with 221 total yards across 67 plays and held possession for over 40 minutes, while Michigan managed 276 yards on 48 plays alongside nine penalties. Moving forward, Western Michigan is scheduled to host Monmouth on Saturday, while Michigan prepares to host No. 10 Oklahoma.
