A Michigan miracle, after the game appeared to be over on an incomplete pass out of the end zone, gave the Wolverines a 13-12 victory over 27.5-point underdog Western Michigan on Saturday at the Big House.
Bryce Underwood's pass went out of the end zone and time appeared to be off the clock. The officials, however, reviewed the play and put one second back.
Given another chance, Underwood unleashed a long pass to the end zone, where there was a gaggle of players.
JJ Buchanan, a transfer from Utah somehow came down with the football to give Michigan the improbable victory on the 47-yard play.
MICHIGAN DOES THE UNBELIEVABLE ON THE FINAL PLAY OF THE GAME 😱 THEY PUT ONE SECOND BACK ON THE CLOCK AND MICHIGAN CAPITALIZES TO WIN IT! 📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/dTmoS82w2C
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 6, 2026
Here’s JJ Buchanan’s game-winning catch https://t.co/2CMSgr9WrB pic.twitter.com/jhtMJ25kKJ
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 6, 2026
1-0 pic.twitter.com/K0ugiKS3pH
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) September 6, 2026
NBC Sports' broadcast team on the game showed a replay of the incompletion. Game official analyst Terry McAulay was baffled about how the game officials found a second left on the clock. He explained how the network replay was in sync with the game clock and the ball had not touched the ground outside the end zone when the clock struck 0:00.
Terry McAulay: "The ball isn't even close to touching a player when it goes to zero... Their Hawk-Eye system apparently had a different sync... I don't see how that happened, assuming our clock is correct... The ball is clearly still in the air when the clock goes to zero..." https://t.co/Krz3Dg5HTF pic.twitter.com/IcMjvHYaUo
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 6, 2026
NBC added the Big Ten is going to have some explaining to do.
Was there time left?🤔
— On3 (@On3) September 6, 2026
One second was added after this play, leading to a Michigan Hail Mary walk-off.
(via NBC) pic.twitter.com/2rVU5mVTqK
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Controversial Hail Mary saves Michigan against Western Michigan
