Controversial Hail Mary denies Western Michigan signature win at Michigan

Western Michigan was 0-33 against AP Top 20 opponents prior to Saturday night at the Big House. But the Broncos stormed into enemy territory and exorcised several demons. Not only did they finally capture that elusive Top 20 victory — they also defeated Michigan for the first time in nine tries.

Until they didn't.

When Michigan's Hail Mary attempt sailed out of the back of the end zone, the clock exhausted to 0:00, and the teams gathered at midfield. Michigan fans threw up their surrender cobras and displayed faces of dismay and disbelief. The party was on 100 miles away in Kalamazoo as the reigning MAC champions upset the No. 16 team in the country, 12-7, without even scoring a touchdown.

The officiating crew disrupted the postgame festivities by issuing a replay review. After a lengthy discussion, the referees added one second on the clock — a decision deemed controversial by many, as it appeared the Hail Mary incompletion appeared to touch the ground after the clock struck triple zeros.

But Michigan got another shot with one second left, and the Wolverines made the most of it. Sophomore wide receiver JJ Buchanan boxed out the Western Michigan defenders, and secured a 47-yard Hail Mary delivery from quarterback Bryce Underwood, on a throw that traveled 60 yards through the air. This time, there was no review. A sea of maize flooded the field as fans stormed the field to celebrate the chaotic win.

The final score briefly read Western Michigan 12, Michigan 7, but the result that will be preserved for posterity is Michigan 13, Western Michigan 12.

"I looked at the clock," Western Michigan head coach Lance Taylor said. "It was past zero before he touched it. I knew they would review. It was the last play of the game. Because we defended it so well, I wasn't worried or concerned about our guys going out and defending it a second time. Unfortunately, we did not defend it as well the second time."

All signs pointed to a Western Michigan victory when the Broncos stripped Underwood with 1:50 remaining, taking possession at the Michigan 31-yard line. Western Michigan pounded the rock all the way to the 12, where it faced a critical 3rd and 2. A conversion would have mathematically ended the game, but Western Michigan delivered a low shotgun snap. The Broncos were fortunate to recover the loose ball, sending kicker Dieter Kelly onto the field for a 33-yard attempt.

Kelly, as he had been all night, was reliable. The backup junior kicker, called into action late due to an injury to starter Palmer Domschke, was responsible for all 12 of Western Michigan's points Saturday night, sinking all four of his field goal attempts. He also drained a 52-yarder in the first quarter, a 45-yarder going into halftime, and a 39-yarder to secure the Broncos' first lead with 10:25 remaining in the contest.

The field goal right before halftime was a missed opportunity for the Broncos. They nearly scored their first and only touchdown of the night as inside linebacker Dillon Moore intercepted Underwood and had daylight for a pick-six. However, one of his toes collided with the white paint of the out of bounds line, causing Western Michigan to settle for three instead of six.

Thus, the only touchdown of the night — prior to the Hail Mary — was Michigan's score on its scripted opening drive. The Wolverines traveled 75 yards in 11 plays, with Underwood punching in a 1-yard touchdown run. Michigan almost never scored again. The heavy favorites only logged 106 rushing yards and were decisively defeated in the time of possession battle, as Western Michigan's veteran ground attack held onto the ball for more than 40 minutes.

Saturday night was supposed to be Western Michigan's grand statement. With the nation watching on a primetime NBC broadcast, the Broncos literally had the Wolverines beat, but that extra second altered what would have been an unforgettable moment for the program.

"Once the first Hail Mary hit and there were zeros on the clock, our guys ran out there celebrating because there were zeros on the clock," Taylor said. "They asked us to get them back on the sideline. They stood by me and they communicated to me that all end-of-game plays, they were gonna review and make sure that it was over. They said there was one second left on the clock, that we had touched it before there were zeros left on the clock."

Unfortunately for the Broncos, the result can't change now. Western Michigan falls to 0-34 against AP Top 20 opponents and 0-9 against Michigan.

One second completely changed the fortune of an entire program.

"I'm really excited and proud of our team tonight," Taylor said. "I just can't tell you how proud I am of our players, our coaches, our staff. I think they put on full display tonight what the Bronco standard looks like — being physical, playing to the end, relentless effort, and that brotherhood and connection that shows up... We really left our heart on the field. One of the things I told them was I'm proud of this group and to keep your head up."