No. 16 Michigan survived a massive upset bid on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, defeating Western Michigan 13-12 after officials put one second back on the game clock following a review, allowing Bryce Underwood to connect with JJ Buchanan for a game-winning 47-yard Hail Mary touchdown.
The Kyle Whittingham era in Ann Arbor nearly began with one of the most stunning upsets in college football history. Playing under the lights at Michigan Stadium in a game broadcast on NBC, the No. 16-ranked Wolverines looked entirely outmatched for the better part of 60 minutes against a relentless Western Michigan squad before a chaotic final sequence completely upended the night.
How a Review Restored One Second and Saved Michigan
The game appeared to be over when a Hail Mary attempt by Bryce Underwood from the Block "M" at midfield sailed out of the back of the end zone as time expired. Western Michigan players immediately rushed the field to celebrate what would have been only their second win over the Wolverines in history, and their first since 2008.
However, officials called for an immediate video review. TV replays demonstrated that the game clock hit zero just before the ball made contact with the hands of a Western Michigan defender. The officiating crew determined that 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.
“I definitely thought the game was over because there were zeroes on the clock,”Bryce Underwood
The Big Ten later stood by the review in an official statement issued two hours after the game, publishing a recording of the review that showed the clock resting at one second when the ball was touched by WMU's Micah Davis. Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher confirmed that the conference and school reached out to the Big Ten office for clarification, and thanked the league for providing an explanation alongside video and audio evidence confirming the call.
Given that extraordinary second chance, Underwood heaved another pass downfield. Buchanan leaped into a crowd, snagged the ball, and secured the 47-yard score that stunned the Broncos and sent thousands of Michigan fans storming onto the field.
“One for the history books right here,”Kyle Whittingham
Western Michigan Dominated the Game Script
Before the frantic finish, the Broncos completely controlled the tempo and physicality of the matchup. Western Michigan outrushed Michigan 132 to 106, ran 67 plays to the Wolverines' 48, and heavily dominated time of possession 40:08 to 19:52.
The MAC challengers capitalized on a methodical offensive approach. Early in the fourth quarter, Dieter Kelly capped a punishing 20-play, 71-yard drive that melted 13:40 off the game clock with a 39-yard field goal, giving the Broncos a 9-7 lead. Kelly, a junior-college transfer from the College of San Mateo, kicked four field goals on the evening.
Michigan's offense vanished after an opening 75-yard touchdown drive that ended with Underwood leaping over the pile for a quarterback sneak. Whittingham's squad committed three turnovers, including an interception thrown deep in home territory late in the first half and a fumble by Underwood at his own 31-yard line with 1:50 remaining.
“Sick to my stomach is the way I explain my feelings about that game,”Dom Nichols, defensive end
Following Underwood's late fumble, Western Michigan picked up two first downs and ran the clock down to 35 seconds, when Kelly converted his fourth field goal to extend the lead to 12-7 and leave the Wolverines needing a 93-yard miracle.
Individual Standouts and Disciplinary Woes for the Wolverines
Despite the offensive struggles, several individual performances kept Michigan within striking distance. Junior defensive end Dom Nichols wreaked havoc in the backfield all evening, finishing with nine tackles, two and a half tackles for loss, and multiple sacks on Broncos quarterback Broc Lowry. Teammate Blake Frazier remarked that Nichols was going to terrorize people
this season, a sentiment borne out by relentless edge pressure.
Offensively, wide receiver JJ Buchanan emerged as a critical weapon long before his game-winning heroics. The Utah transfer caught an early slant pass, hauled in a remarkable one-handed grab following a fumbled snap, and accounted for the vast majority of Michigan's passing yardage.
Yet discipline remained a glaring issue for the squad. The Wolverines accumulated nine penalties for 80 yards, suffered special teams breakdowns including a muffed punt by Andrew Marsh, and at one point had 12 players on the field during a drive.
Whittingham accepted full accountability for the rocky performance during his postgame comments.
“This isn’t on Bryce Underwood,” Whittingham said. “It’s on me.”
Kyle Whittingham
With the narrow escape in the books, Western Michigan turns its attention to hosting Monmouth on Saturday. Meanwhile, Michigan must quickly recalibrate for a major step up in competition when the Wolverines host No. 10 Oklahoma.
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