Week 1 gets its signature moment when No. 16 Michigan beats Western Michigan on disputed finish
Officials added one second after review, and Bryce Underwood hit JJ Buchanan for a 47-yard touchdown that preserved Michigan’s 13-12 win.
- On Saturday, Michigan defeated Western Michigan 13-12 after officials controversially restored one second to the clock, allowing quarterback Bryce Underwood to connect with receiver JJ Buchanan on a 47-yard Hail Mary touchdown on the final play at Michigan Stadium.
- Western Michigan controlled the game, leading 12-7 late in the fourth quarter following a 20-play drive consuming nearly 14 minutes; the Broncos held the Wolverines to a single touchdown for nearly the entire regulation period.
- NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay questioned the decision, stating, "The ball isn't even close to touching a player when it goes to zero." Television broadcasts showed the clock hitting 0:00 before contact occurred.
- Following the victory, Michigan fans stormed the field, drawing criticism from ESPN reporter Wayne Drehs, who called the celebration "inappropriate" for a narrow home win against an underdog program.
- Coach Kyle Whittingham won his debut but acknowledged the Wolverines face "plenty of work" before hosting Oklahoma next week, entering the 2026 season 1-0 despite the controversial finish.
46 Articles
46 Articles
“Feel So Bad for Those Kids”: Pat McAfee and CFB Greats in Shock After Controversial Referee Decision Helps Michigan Win
The Michigan Wolverines pulled off a wild win in Ann Arbor on Saturday night, September 5, 2026, but hardly anyone outside their home stadium is celebrating. Michigan managed to defeat Western Michigan 13-12 on a miraculous Hail Mary pass as time expired. But that game-ending touchdown came on an extra play granted by officials after […]
College Football Blue Blood Survives Upset With All-Time Controversy
The No. 16th ranked Michigan Wolverines defeated Western Michigan 13-12 on Saturday night at Michigan Stadium on a 47-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to JJ Buchanan as time expired. The play followed a replay review that restored one second after an incomplete Hail Mary on the previous snap, resulting in what is being called […]
Winnipeg Free Press
The MessengerNo. 16 Michigan escapes an 'epic loss' thanks to a disputed replay and a second-chance Hail Mary
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Bryce Underwood watched his pass sail out of bounds, and he thought he knew what that meant for No. 16 Michigan.
Daily Journal
Week 1 gets its signature moment when No. 16 Michigan beats Western Michigan on disputed finish
And to think, Kyle Whittingham said he wanted to put an end to all the drama around Michigan. Nobody could have scripted a more dramatic finish to the former Utah coach’s Michigan debut. No. 16 Michigan beat Western Michigan 13-12…
Hail Mary highlight can't gloss over glaring flaws for Bryce Underwood, Michigan
Michigan needed a miraculous play to stave off what would have been the team's worst loss since the infamous 2007 upset by Appalachian State -- and No. 9 Oklahoma looms next on the schedule
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