One polarizing ruling in the final seconds decided Saturday’s wild Michigan-Western Michigan clash at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Western Michigan, leading 12-7 with nine seconds left, needed just one more defensive stand to secure a stunning season-opening upset over No. 16 Michigan. The Wolverines had 2nd-and-10 near midfield when quarterback Bryce Underwood threw a Hail Mary toward the back of the end zone.
The Broncos started celebrating once Underwood’s pass was incomplete. But referees reviewed the play and somehow felt compelled to add a second to the clock, giving Michigan one more chance. The Wolverines ended up winning on a preposterous Hail Mary touchdown pass from Underwood.
Western Michigan was totally robbed! Even Michigan knew the game was over, and the refs put a second back on the clock anyway. Then Michigan won on a Hail Mary.
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) September 6, 2026
This needs to be investigated, and I don't have a dog in the race. pic.twitter.com/HdKlft94oC
Underwood ate up about five seconds of game clock just shuffling about to get a good enough angle for a throw on the penultimate play, which he probably anticipated would be Michigan’s last chance.
The slow-motion replay showed the ball still visibly in the air when the clock hit zero, which was even confirmed by NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay.
The full sequence at the end of Western Michigan vs. Michigan
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 6, 2026
Western Michigan thought they had the game won, but one second was added after review despite the clock appearing to show 0:00 before the ball hit the ground. Michigan won on the next play pic.twitter.com/JeGrwxod6S
Based on the camera angles and even McAulay’s professional opinion, underdog Western Michigan should have won Saturday’s game. But the final score on the Big House’s scoreboard said otherwise.
