Michigan’s last-second Hail Mary to defeat Western Michigan 13-12 in Saturday’s season opener almost never happened. It required a controversial ruling, with officials placing one second back on the clock despite the TV broadcast showing that the game had ended.
But, after watching a replay, referees determined that quarterback Bryce Underwood tossed the ball out of bounds — through the back of the end zone — with just enough time for one more play. He capitalized, heaving his final pass 47 yards down the field to receiver J.J. Buchanan.
The No. 16 Wolverines escaped with a victory, but not without controversy.
Fans, players and coaches all thought that Underwood’s final incompletion arrived a second too late.
“I definitely thought the game was over because there were zeroes on the clock,” the quarterback said.
Officials determined that a Broncos defender touched the out-of-bounds throw with a second remaining.
“It was determined Western Michigan No. 18 started his jump from an established out-of-bounds position [left foot] and made contact with the ball with one second remaining on the clock,” the Big Ten conference said in a statement two hours after the game ended, citing the rule that stops the clock on such contact.
Big Ten leaders confirmed that they used side-by-side camera angles of the game clock and the play to make the ruling. It’s a reliable system, they said.
“Eighty-five minutes prior to the game, all broadcast cameras used for the relay system, including the camera on the game clock, are synced using a strobe system to ensure all cameras are aligned,” the conference’s statement noted.
Officials from the Mid-American Conference reached out to confirm. They said the Big Ten quickly provided video that supported the controversial ruling.
“I commend Western Michigan for an outstanding effort and a well-played game, and I offer my congratulations to Michigan,” MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbecher said in a statement.
The miraculous ending helped the Wolverines avoid a massive upset to start the season at home. The Broncos entered the game as 27 ½-point underdogs and — for a brief moment before the final replay — celebrated their victory at Michigan Stadium.
It quickly elicited memories of 2007 for Michigan’s fanbase. Appalachian State derailed Michigan’s championship plans 19 years ago with a 34-32 victory in the first game of the season.
“We were flirting with disaster, and that would’ve been an epic loss,” Kyle Whittingham, the Wolverines’ first-year coach, said after the game.
Instead, he secured a win in his Michigan debut. Fans decked out in maize and blue stormed the fields, a rare occurrence for a team favored by four scores.
“College football is beyond repair when Michigan fans charge the field after beating Western Michigan,” ESPN’s Wayne Drehs posted on X.
The roller coaster of emotions — from a crushing defeat to an unbelievable victory — drew similar reactions from players on the sidelines and fans in the stands. Next time, the athletes said, they’d rather handle business without the late heroics.
“Sick to my stomach is the way I explain my feelings about that game,” Michigan defensive end Dom Nichols said. “That was a moment we don’t really want to be living.”
Michigan, now 1-0, hosts No. 10 Oklahoma next Saturday.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
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