Michigan escapes WMU on second-chance Hail Mary

Bryce Underwood connected with JJ Buchanan for a 47-yard touchdown pass on a second-chance Hail Mary, lifting No. 16 Michigan past Western Michigan 13-12 on Saturday night at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines were 27 1/2-point favorites in coach Kyle Whittingham’s debut.

The Broncos thought they had secured a historic upset when Underwood’s first Hail Mary sailed out of bounds as the clock expired. WMU players were already on the field celebrating when officials called for a review.

TV replays showed the clock hitting zero before the ball reached the hands of a Western Michigan defender, but officials ruled there was one second still to play.

“I definitely thought the game was over because there were zeroes on the clock,” Underwood said.

After the overturned call, Underwood heaved another throw. Buchanan leaped to snag it and came down with it in the end zone.

“One for the history books right here,” Whittingham said.

Western Michigan threatened to hand Michigan perhaps its biggest upset since a season-opening loss to Appalachian State in 2007, when the Wolverines were 33-point favorites. The Broncos kicked four field goals and forced three turnovers, including a late fumble by Underwood.

The Big Ten stood by the review in a statement released two hours after the game. The conference also published a recording of the replay showing the game clock at one second when the ball was touched by WMU’s Micah Davis.

“It was determined 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,” the conference said, citing a rule that stops the clock on such contact.

Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said the MAC and school contacted the Big Ten office, seeking clarification on the review. He said they were provided with an explanation along with video and audio that confirmed the ruling, and thanked the Big Ten for its prompt response.

WMU went ahead for the first time early in the fourth quarter on Dieter Kelly’s 39-yard field goal that capped a 20-play drive that took 13:40 off the clock.

Underwood lost a fumble at his 31 with 1:50 left after throwing an interception in the first half and nearly getting picked off two more times.

“Sick to my stomach is the way I explain my feelings about that game,” defensive end Dom Nichols said.

Kelly, a junior-college transfer from College of San Mateo, made his fourth field goal with 35 seconds left to force the Wolverines to score a touchdown to win.

Western Michigan, which has played major college football since 1962 in the Mid-American Conference, has never beaten an opponent in the top 20 of the Associated Press poll.

“This isn’t on Bryce Underwood,” Whittingham said. “It’s on me.”

Western Michigan hosts Monmouth on Saturday. Michigan hosts No. 10 Oklahoma on Saturday.