No. 16 Michigan pulled off an absolute stunner, grabbing a 13-12 victory over Western Michigan thanks to a last-second 47-yard Hail Mary from quarterback Bryce Underwood to JJ Buchanan on Saturday night. Can you believe it? Kyle Whittingham’s debut as Michigan’s head coach couldn’t have started any crazier in Ann Arbor, turning what looked like a crushing loss into an unbelievable win in the blink of an eye.
Absolute Chaos and a Wild Comeback
Talk about a heart attack game! Western Michigan actually took a 12-9 lead with just 38 seconds left on the clock after Dieter Kelly nailed a 33-yard field goal. At that point, it felt like the game was over, especially with Michigan needing to go the entire length of the field after a touchback on the ensuing kick. But Underwood and the Wolverines didn’t quit. They put together a frantic 6-play, 75-yard drive, which ended with that absolutely miraculous catch in the end zone by Buchanan. It was truly a mind-blowing, controversial finish, with Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge, and rules analyst Terry McAulay on NBC trying to make sense of the stunning scene for everyone watching. You had to see it to believe it.
The Play That Shook Everything Up
Here’s where it gets truly wild: Michigan actually got a second chance after Western Michigan thought they had won the game. Zeros were showing on the clock, everyone was probably celebrating in Kalamazoo, but after further review, there was one second left. ONE SECOND! That single tick gave Underwood another shot, another prayer. The play itself looked incredibly similar to one of college football’s greatest moments: Colorado QB Kordell Stewart finding Michael Westbrook against Michigan back in 1994, though this one went the opposite direction. Just like Stewart, Underwood launched his pass from well beyond midfield. The only difference was Buchanan was there for the reception with no tip on the play. That 47-yard bomb wasn’t just Underwood’s only touchdown of the night, it was the only one that mattered, delivering Michigan a truly unforgettable scare but securing them a 1-0 start to the season.
So, Michigan starts the season 1-0, but man, they earned it the hard way. Next up, the Wolverines are set to take on Oklahoma in a Top 25 affair that everyone will be watching. You can catch that one next Saturday at Noon ET on FOX. Whittingham is going to want a much calmer game, but after a debut like that, who knows what’s coming next!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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