Clock controversy hands Michigan a 13-12 opening win over Western Michigan
College football's opening week delivered a controversy that will outlast the scoreboard. Michigan survived Western Michigan 13-12 in a low-scoring defensive battle, with the winning points arriving on a 46-yard Hail Mary from…
Key takeaways
- Michigan beat Western Michigan 13-12 in Week 1 on a 46-yard Hail Mary from Bryce Underwood to J.J. Buchanan after officials ruled one second remained.
- Officials put one second back on the clock, citing a rule that stops play when a defender jumps from an out-of-bounds position to contact the ball, a call the Big Ten Conference confirmed.
- Television replays showed the clock reaching zero before the ball reached the Western Michigan defender, drawing immediate scrutiny of the ruling.
- Bryce Underwood finished with 170 passing yards and 46 rushing yards, scoring on a 1-yard rushing touchdown and the 46-yard pass to Buchanan.
- The victory marks the first win of the Kyle Whittingham era at Michigan and comes 19 years after the program's 2007 loss to Appalachian State.
College football's opening week delivered a controversy that will outlast the scoreboard. Michigan survived Western Michigan 13-12 in a low-scoring defensive battle, with the winning points arriving on a 46-yard Hail Mary from quarterback Bryce Underwood to receiver J.J. Buchanan after officials ruled one second remained on the clock when an earlier Underwood throw sailed out of the back of the end zone.
The Wolverines entered the Week 1 matchup as 27.5-point favorites, with oddsmakers pricing the over/under at 49.5. Neither number reflected what followed. Michigan drew first on an Underwood 1-yard rushing touchdown, but Western Michigan, the 2025 MAC champions, answered with two first-half field goals to cut the deficit to 7-6 at the break. A third Broncos field goal in the fourth quarter put Western Michigan ahead 9-7. After Joshua Franklin stripped the ball from Underwood and the Broncos recovered despite a fumble scare of their own, a fourth field goal pushed the lead to 12-7.
With no timeouts and nine seconds left, Underwood connected with Channing Goodwin around midfield, and Michigan scrambled to spike the ball. On the next snap, Underwood heaved long and the pass sailed out the back of the end zone. Western Michigan celebrated. Officials reviewed the play and ruled one second still on the clock, citing a provision that stops play when a defender jumps from an established out-of-bounds position to make contact with the ball. The Big Ten Conference confirmed the call, identifying Western Michigan's No. 18 as the player whose contact triggered the clock stoppage.
Clock ruling draws immediate scrutiny
Television replays showed the clock reaching zero before the ball reached the Western Michigan defender. The Big Ten held its position. Underwood used the extra play to find Buchanan for the 46-yard score, finishing with 170 passing yards and 46 rushing yards on the day. The rushing touchdown and the Buchanan connection were his only scoring plays.
It marks the first win of the Kyle Whittingham era at Michigan, and it arrives 19 years after the program's 2007 loss to Appalachian State. The Wolverines avoided a comparable result by a single controversial second. Their next game is September 12 at home against No. 10 Oklahoma.
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