Michigan’s 2026 season opener turned into one of the wildest finishes of the college football season.
The Wolverines escaped Western Michigan 13-12 Saturday night at the Big House, but the victory came with plenty of controversy. With Michigan seemingly out of time, officials restored one second to the clock, giving the Wolverines one final opportunity.
Michigan took advantage.
One Second Changes Everything
It appeared Western Michigan had pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the opening weekend.
Michigan trailed 12-7 and had one final chance to win. Bryce Underwood launched a Hail Mary that fell incomplete, seemingly ending the game.
But officials reviewed the play and determined that one second needed to be put back on the clock.
That decision gave Michigan another shot and it completely changed the ending.
Underwood Finds Buchanan
With one final play, Underwood dropped back and launched another desperation pass toward the end zone.
This time, JJ Buchanan came down with it for a 47-yard touchdown, sending Michigan Stadium into absolute chaos and giving the Wolverines a 13-12 victory.
It was the kind of finish that players and fans will remember for years.
For Western Michigan, however, the ending was heartbreaking.
The Controversy Overshadows the Win
While Michigan fans celebrated, the biggest discussion immediately became the clock.
The decision to restore the extra second has sparked significant debate, with many questioning whether Michigan should have been given another opportunity after the initial Hail Mary appeared to end the game.
Michigan ultimately won’t care how pretty the victory looked.
The Wolverines are 1-0, and a game that looked lost somehow ended with a Michigan touchdown.
A Win, But Plenty to Fix
Despite the incredible finish, Michigan has plenty to clean up.
The Wolverines struggled offensively for much of the night and allowed Western Michigan to stay within striking distance throughout the game. The defense kept Michigan alive, but the offense couldn’t consistently create separation.
Still, the new era under Kyle Whittingham begins with a win.
It certainly wasn’t the dominant opening many expected, but Michigan found a way to survive.
Michigan may have escaped Western Michigan, but the controversial Hail Mary will be talked about long after the final whistle. The Wolverines are 1-0 and they got there in the most dramatic way possible.
