Michigan Escapes 13-12 Over WMU on Replay-Aided Hail Mary — SkimNews
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- Bryce Underwood's 47-yard Hail Mary to JJ Buchanan on a replay-aided second chance gave No. 16 Michigan a 13-12 escape over Western Michigan in coach Kyle Whittingham's debut.
- The Big Ten stood by the review in a postgame statement, ruling Western Michigan's Micah Davis made contact with the ball with one second remaining after starting his jump from an out-of-bounds position, which stopped the clock.
- MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said the conference and Western Michigan contacted the Big Ten office seeking explanation, and was provided with video and audio confirming the call.
- Michigan entered as a 27½-point favorite but nearly lost, with fans at Michigan Stadium momentarily watching Western Michigan celebrate before the replay decision reversed the outcome.
- Kyle Whittingham was hired to stabilize the program after the firing and arrest of Sherrone Moore, who held the job for two seasons following Jim Harbaugh's tenure that included a 2023 national title.
- Defensive end Dom Nichols said he was "sick to my stomach" about the performance, and Whittingham warned Michigan must improve quickly ahead of next week's home game against No. 10 Oklahoma.
Why it matters: Michigan, a 27½-point favorite, nearly joined the short list of top-ranked teams humiliated as massive home favorites — and avoided it only because an officiating review put a second back on the clock. The narrow escape leaves Whittingham inheriting a team that looked unprepared for its first test under a new regime, heading into a matchup with No. 10 Oklahoma that now looks far more dangerous.
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