Michigan wins on Hail Mary after controversial review puts one second back on clock

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Michigan appeared to have suffered a stunning loss to Western Michigan at the Big House in Kyle Whittingham’s debut Saturday but given one last chance, quarterback Bryce Underwood connected with JJ Buchanan on a 47-yard touchdown after time had expired. Against all odds, the Wolverines walked away with a 13-12 win—and plenty of controversy.

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Underwood had launched a Mary attempt through the back of the end zone on the previous play and the ruling on the field was that time had run out, giving Western Michigan a monumental upset. But after a replay review, one second was put back on the clock to set up the magical Michigan moment.

It will be fascinating to get an explanation on why this judgement was made as it appears clear that all zeroes were on the clock when a Broncos player first touched the ball. And yet the Wolverines were given another crack at it and capitalized.

The late-game drama prevented Michigan from suffering a brutal, embarrassing loss to an in-state school. One in which they did not appear to have any offensive firepower at all. After scoring on the opening drive of the contest, Michigan remained stuck at 7 points until the game’s final second. Or the second after that. It’s complicated.

Underwood did not excel and the Wolverines will have to play much, much better to have any chance of making the College Football Playoff, but it’s not too early to say that the review has a chance to go down as one of the most important moments of the season. And yes, everyone is going to be focused on the fairness of that ruling. Don’t sleep on the clutch catch by Buchanan and catchable throw from a quarterback who had little to celebrate up to that point.

An unreal turn of events and one that will generate plenty of discussion.

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