Michigan's Extra Second Explained in Win Over Western Michigan

The Big Ten stated that Michigan was granted an additional second in their victory over Western Michigan on Saturday night because a defender made contact with the ball with one second remaining on the stadium clock during the Wolverines' initial hail mary attempt. Following the controversial ending, which saw JJ Buchanan catch a 47-yard pass from Bryce Underwood for a 13-12 win, the conference released video reviewed by replay officials and audio of their discussions regarding the decision. The statement indicated that video review confirmed that Western Michigan’s #18 began his jump from an established out-of-bounds position and touched the ball with one second left on the clock. A side-by-side view of the play and the game clock was used to determine the final ruling. MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher accepted this explanation, commending Western Michigan for their effort and congratulating Michigan. He also acknowledged the Big Ten's prompt response in reviewing the play. Despite the stadium clock showing a second remaining, the NBC broadcast clock displayed zeroes when Underwood's initial attempt failed. The referees were not available for comments post-game. Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor expressed his concerns, stating, "We can’t control whether there was a second left on the clock or not." He noted that they defended the Hail Mary situation well and felt confident despite the review. The outcome was unexpected for many, as it appeared Michigan was on the verge of a significant loss, but they were able to secure a win that might impact their chances for a College Football Playoff berth, despite their lackluster performance throughout the game.