Michigan Snatches Victory from Jaws of Defeat with Last-Second Hail Mary
POLICY WIRE — Ann Arbor, Mich. — In a dramatic turn of events, No. 16 Michigan managed to snatch a narrow victory over Western Michigan, courtesy of a last-second, 47-yard Hail Mary pass on Saturday,...
POLICY WIRE — Ann Arbor, Mich. — In a dramatic turn of events, No. 16 Michigan managed to snatch a narrow victory over Western Michigan, courtesy of a last-second, 47-yard Hail Mary pass on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
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Quarterback Bryce Underwood, who initially thought the game was over after his pass sailed out of bounds, was given a second chance by a contentious replay decision. ‘I definitely thought the game was over because there were zeroes on the clock,’ Underwood said, reflecting on the moment.
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Underwood’s second attempt found wide receiver JJ Buchanan in the end zone, turning what seemed like a certain defeat into a thrilling 13-12 win for the Wolverines. The play came after a controversial review that added a crucial second back onto the clock, allowing Michigan to execute the game-winning play.
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The Big Ten Conference stood by the decision, releasing a statement two hours post-game. The conference provided a recording of the replay, which showed the game clock at one second when the ball was touched by Western Michigan’s Micah Davis. ‘It was determined Western Michigan No. 18 started his jump from an established out-of-bounds position (left foot) and made contact with the ball with one second remaining on the clock,’ the statement read, citing the rule that stops the clock on such contact.
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Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher confirmed that the conference and school had contacted the Big Ten for clarification, receiving an explanation along with video and audio that supported the ruling. ‘We were flirting with disaster, and that would’ve been an epic loss,’ said Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham, alluding to the team’s past struggles in season openers.
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Fans and players alike experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, with Michigan Stadium briefly celebrating a Western Michigan victory before the replay decision reversed the outcome. Defensive end Dom Nichols expressed his relief, saying, ‘Sick to my stomach is the way I explain my feelings about that game.’
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Whittingham, who took over the program following the tumultuous tenure of Sherrone Moore, acknowledged the need for improvement. ‘If we don’t play a lot better, it’s not going to be pretty,’ he warned, looking ahead to their next challenge against No. 10 Oklahoma.
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The win, while exhilarating, highlighted the team’s vulnerabilities, setting the stage for a critical week of preparation as they gear up for their next high-stakes match.
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Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)