How Michigan Hail Mary compares to 'Kick Six' and other time-related controversies in CFB history

How Michigan Hail Mary compares to 'Kick Six' and other time-related controversies in CFB history

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How Michigan Hail Mary compares to 'Kick Six' and other time-related controversies in CFB history
Bryce Underwood

How Michigan Hail Mary compares to 'Kick Six' and other time-related controversies in CFB history originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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NBC play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle dropped a timeless reference before Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood took the final snap during Saturday's game against Western Michigan. 

"Does this have shades of the 2013 Iron Bowl?" Eagle asked. "Will it be a Bryce Underwood magical moment to throw away the hopes of the Broncos?" 

A few seconds later, Eagle belted out, "JJ Buchanan! Touchdown! A Miracle at Michigan Stadium!"

Underwood's 47-yard Hail Mary to Buchanan gave the Wolverines a 13-12 victory against Western Michigan at Michigan Stadium – albeit one shrouded in the controversy that followed. Did time expire? Why was one second put back on the clock? This will not be considered a "magical moment" outside of Ann Arbor, Mich. 

The Big Ten released a statement defending the decision and provided video of what was reviewed during the replay process. The Mid-American Conference made a statement, too. Yet questions about the clock remain. This is not the first time we have seen this in college football. 

Eagle was referencing the "Kick Six" – Chris Davis' legendary 109-yard return of a missed field goal that gave No. 4 Auburn a 34-28 victory against No. 1 Alabama on Nov. 30, 2013. 

Is the "Kick Six" comparable to Michigan's Hail Mary? What about other controversies when time was back on the clock?  What does that have to do with Michigan? 

The 'Kick Six' vs. Michigan Hail Mary 

The "Kick Six" was made possible by the play before. With seven seconds remaining, Alabama running back TJ Yeldon ran to the 38-yard line before stepping out of bounds. Time expired – but a review put one second back on the clock. Go back and watch the broadcast. 

"There's a second left," CBS announcer Verne Lundquist says. "If the synchronicity works." 

Lundquist and CBS color commentator Gary Danielson exchange laughs. 

Alabama kicker Adam Griffith attempted a 56-yard field goal, and the rest is history. The "Kick Six" ranks No. 24 on our SN 140 greatest moments list – the second-highest college football moment on the list. Michigan's Hail Mary will land on a different list – one that includes college football controversies such as the "Fifth Down." It's already been dubbed by some as the "Bail Mary." 

So, what's the difference? 

John David Mercer-Imagn Images

How 'Kick Six' could have matched Michigan Hail Mary 

Now, imagine Griffith makes that field goal against Auburn. The Crimson Tide would have been in line for a third straight national championship under Alabama coach Nick Saban, and the reaction might have been closer to what happened in the aftermath at Michigan on Saturday. 

Listen to the crowd's reaction at Jordan-Hare Stadium after one second was put back on the clock. 

That one second before Yeldon's foot touches would have been over-analyzed. The SEC and CBS would have been panned by conspiracy theorists. The notion Saban always gets his way would have been conveyed – and that this was all a TV show to see the potential matchup against No. 2 Florida State and Jameis Winston. In that case, there definitely would have been shades of 2013. 

If you don't think so, then you don't remember Alabama would have been in position to win four national championships in five years. "Bama fatigue" had set in everywhere outside of Tuscaloosa, Ala. The SEC had won seven straight national championships at that point. Yes, it would have had a similar reaction if the Crimson Tide made that field goal.

There's one problem. Everybody who watched Saturday's game against Western Michigan on NBC saw the clock hit zero. That synchronicity does not jive for the live viewer – which could be objectively seen on Yeldon's run against Auburn. The "Kick Six" was set up by the correct call. 

What do the moments share? That extra second set up the dramatic moment. Davis' punt return does not happen without that extra second – and it's a better story than Griffith knocking in the field goal.

Underwood does make a great throw – albeit on a second attempt – and Buchanan makes a great catch between defenders. Is it a better story than Western Michigan joining Appalachian State and Toledo as underdogs who upset the Wolverines in the Big House in the last 20 years? Unfortunately, the answer is yes because it is a content creator's dream on a Week 1 devoid of Top 25 upsets. 

BENDER: With second chance, Michigan turns disaster into delight

Impact of Michigan Hail Mary controversy   

Viewers feel cheated. Western Michigan outplayed Michigan, a school that was under an NCAA investigation for a sign-stealing scandal during a national championship season in 2023. That's one reason. 

Michigan also resides among the highest-valuation programs in the sport. Which other FBS schools would generate this kind of backlash when they get their way against a Group of 6 opponent on a controversial call? Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas and Alabama would be at the top of that list. Those are the schools that reside in that billion-dollar blue-blood club, and when they get their way it turns up the volume. 

Remember Kirby Smart's controversial timeout against Auburn last season? 

No. 3 Texas beat No. 22 Nebraska 13-12 – the same score – in the 2009 Big 12 championship game on ESPN. One second was put back on the clock after Colt McCoy threw an incomplete pass out of bounds. It was the correct call. Just don't tell Nebraska fans that. 

This isn't the first time Michigan has been at the center of a clock controversy. On Nov. 3, 2001, Michigan State beat No. 6 Michigan 26-24 on a last-second TD pass from Jeff Smoker to T.J. Duckett. Michigan State timekeeper Bob Staehlin ruled there was one second left on the clock to set up the final play. The synchronicity on the ABC telecast with Brent Musburger and Danielson — he was there, too – is close. 

"It's nice to have that home-clock right there," Danielson says. "It's nice to have the home-field advantage."

Imagine the reaction if NBC color analyst Todd Blackledge said that Saturday before Underwood's Hail Mary.  

This is the original "Clockgate" in the Big Ten – and it led to a rule change where the game clock would be controlled by an official instead of a school representative. Saturday's events might lead to some rule changes too – including putting tenths or even hundredths of a second on the clock for everyone to see on the scoreboard. The networks will have to make the adjustment. That is coming, too. Fans and viewers need to see the same thing as the officials, or the integriy of the game is questioned. The Big Ten might have made the correct call, but it does not feel that way.

There were definitely shades of the 2013 Iron Bowl, but this felt different. The nature of those previous controversies was different because college football was not the playoff and network-driven enterprise it is now. You cannot laugh these moments off like that. It felt shady – and that will be part of the legacy of the latest "Miracle at Michigan.

We will never be able to say the same about the "Kick Six."

That is the difference.

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