Michigan avoided an upset against Western Michigan on September 5, 2026, securing a 13-12 victory at Michigan Stadium after officials added one second back to the game clock for a game-winning Hail Mary touchdown. Quarterback Bryce Underwood connected with JJ Buchanan on a 47-yard pass as time expired, according to reports.
The Controversial Final Play and Clock Review
The game appeared over when Underwood threw a previous desperation heave out of the back of the end zone, leaving zeroes on the stadium clock. Western Michigan players and coaches rushed the field to celebrate an apparent 12-7 win, but officials halted the celebration to review the play. According to a statement from the Big Ten, video review showed the ball touched Western Michigan player Micah Davis while he was out of bounds with one second still remaining on the clock. The conference released video and audio confirmation, explaining that the contact stopped the clock under NCAA rules.
Expert Reception and Broadcast Confusion
The decision drew immediate scrutiny from television analysts and fans. NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay expressed confusion during the broadcast regarding how officials arrived at one second remaining, noting that the clock hit zero on the broadcast feed while the ball was still in the air. Despite the debate, NCAA Rule 1, Section 1, Article 3, paragraph b dictates that once a referee declares a game ended, the score is final and cannot be overturned post-review. Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor declined to criticize the officiating crew after the game, stating that he would leave the matter to the conference commissioner.
Aftermath and Historical Context
The dramatic finish marked the debut win for first-year Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham, who called the sequence “one for the history books” during a post-game interview surrounded by fans who had stormed the field. Michigan entered the matchup as a 27.5-point favorite against their Mid-American Conference opponent. With the result, Western Michigan dropped to 0-9 all-time against the Wolverines.
Did you know? Under NCAA football rules, a game clock stops when a player in an established out-of-bounds position touches a live ball, which served as the basis for the Big Ten’s decision to restore one second to the clock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Michigan vs. Western Michigan game?
Michigan defeated Western Michigan 13-12 on September 5, 2026.
Why did officials put one second back on the clock?
According to the Big Ten, replay review showed that Western Michigan player Micah Davis touched the ball while starting his jump from an out-of-bounds position with one second remaining.
Who scored the game-winning touchdown for Michigan?
Quarterback Bryce Underwood threw a 47-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to JJ Buchanan.
Worth a look