Full Breakdown
Michigan Staves Off Upset with One-Second Hail Mary
9/7/2026, 2:19:46 AM
Game Summary
In Kyle Whittingham’s debut as Michigan head coach, the Wolverines (No. 16) survived a near-upset by Western Michigan, winning 13-12 after a 47-yard Hail Mary on the final play. After an opening one-yard rushing TD, Michigan did not score again until the closing seconds. Western Michigan took a 12-7 lead with 35 seconds left via a 33-yard field goal. A review added one second to the clock, allowing Underwood to launch a second throw that Buchanan caught for the winning score. The Big Ten confirmed the clock showed one second when Western Michigan safety Micah Davis, out of bounds, touched the ball, invoking the rule that stops the clock on such contact.
Statistical Overview
- Bryce Underwood: 12-of-22, 170 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 9 carries for 47 yards and 1 rushing TD.
- JJ Buchanan: 6 receptions for 126 yards and the decisive TD.
- Michigan: 170 passing yards, 106 rushing yards, 12 first downs, 3-of-10 on third down.
- Western Michigan: 89 passing yards, 62 rushing yards, four field goals (52-, 45-, 39-, 33-yard).
- Penalties: Michigan 9 for 80 yards; turnovers: Michigan 2, Western Michigan 1.
Official Statements & Responses
The Big Ten issued a statement noting the replay showed one second remaining when Davis made contact, triggering the clock-stop rule. Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher thanked the Big Ten for the clarification. Whittingham called the moment “one for the history books” and noted the one-second margin.
Criticism & Opposition
NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay challenged the decision, asserting the stadium clock and broadcast clock were out of sync and that the ball was still airborne when the clock hit zero.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The dispute centers on whether any time remained after the first Hail Mary. The Big Ten’s review concluded one second remained due to Davis’s out-of-bounds contact; McAulay argued the ball was still in the air at zero, suggesting a possible timing error. No further technical explanation has been provided.
What’s Next
Michigan’s next game is a home matchup against No. 10 Oklahoma, a test of whether the Wolverines can improve on the uneven performance that preceded the dramatic finish.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our in-set clock is in-synch, is the actual stadium clock, the ball isn't even close to touching a player when it goes to zero,” — Terry McAulay, NBC rules analyst
- “I definitely thought the game was over because there were zeroes on the clock,” — Bryce Underwood
- “We were flirting with disaster, and that would’ve been an epic loss,” — Kyle Whittingham
- “If we don’t play a lot better, it’s not going to be pretty,” — Kyle Whittingham
