ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan went from staring at a stunning season-opening upset to celebrating an improbable victory in the span of one controversial second.
No. 16 Michigan escaped Western Michigan 13-12 on Saturday night at Michigan Stadium after officials restored one second to the game clock following a replay review, allowing quarterback Bryce Underwood to connect with JJ Buchanan on a 47-yard touchdown as time expired.
The dramatic finish immediately shifted attention from the Wolverines’ comeback to the officiating decision that made it possible.
Western Michigan led 12-7 when Underwood launched what appeared to be Michigan’s final desperation pass toward the end zone. The throw fell incomplete, the clock showed zero and the Broncos began celebrating what appeared to be a monumental upset.
But officials reviewed the play and determined the game wasn’t over.
The Big Ten said a Western Michigan defender began his jump while established out of bounds and touched the football with one second remaining. Under college football rules, that contact made the pass incomplete and stopped the clock. Officials therefore restored one second.
On the additional snap, Underwood launched another deep pass, this time finding Buchanan for the winning touchdown and turning a 12-7 deficit into a 13-12 victory.
Television replays appeared to show the clock reaching 0:00 while Underwood’s first pass was still in the air, before the Western Michigan defender made contact with it. NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay questioned how officials arrived at one second remaining, saying the broadcast’s synchronized clock appeared to contradict the ruling.
The Big Ten nevertheless stood behind the decision, saying replay officials used a direct view of the stadium clock alongside video of the play to determine when the defender touched the ball.
The Mid-American Conference and Western Michigan sought clarification from the Big Ten afterward. MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said the conference appreciated the Big Ten’s review and explanation.
Michigan struggled throughout a game it entered as a heavy favorite. The Wolverines led only 7-6 at halftime after Underwood scored on a 1-yard run in the first quarter.
Western Michigan took a 9-7 lead on a fourth-quarter field goal and later recovered an Underwood fumble, setting up another field goal that pushed the Broncos’ advantage to 12-7 with less than a minute remaining.
Michigan committed three turnovers and possessed the ball for less than 20 minutes, while Western Michigan controlled possession for more than 40 minutes.
Underwood finished 12-of-22 passing for 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception while adding 47 rushing yards and a score. Buchanan accounted for 126 receiving yards on six catches, with his final reception becoming the play that saved Michigan’s opener.
