Ann Arbor, MI – Michigan kept its perfect start to the season with a 13‑12 victory over Western Michigan on Saturday night at the Big House. The Wolverines needed a miracle when the Broncos took a 12‑7 lead with just 35 seconds left.
Clock controversy fuels dramatic finish
Western Michigan dominated possession, holding the ball for over 40 minutes and building a 12‑7 advantage after a 33‑yard field goal by Dieter Kelly. With no timeouts remaining, Michigan had to score a touchdown to avoid an upset.
Quarterback Bryce Underwood led the Wolverines into Broncos territory, completing a 28‑yard pass to wide receiver JJ Buchanan. Underwood spiked the ball with 11 seconds left, setting up a final play.
Officials briefly showed the clock at 00:00, but after review they added one second back onto the game clock. That extra second gave Underwood the chance to launch a Hail Mary. The ball stayed in play, and Buchanan rose amid a crowd of defenders to haul it into the end zone for the decisive score.
Reactions to the timing decision
NBC Sports rules analyst Terry McAulay questioned the clock adjustment, noting a discrepancy between the stadium clock and the broadcast’s inset clock. He said, “The ball isn’t even close to touching a player when it goes to zero. The Big Ten will need to explain how they arrived at one second on this play.”
The controversial call will likely be debated in the coming days, but for now Michigan celebrates a thrilling win that preserves its unbeaten record.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
