The University of Michigan Wolverines narrowly escaped a shocking upset bid from the Western Michigan Broncos in their season opener at Michigan Stadium. The game, which saw a low-scoring, defensive battle, was a far cry from the high-scoring affair that oddsmakers had predicted, with the over/under set at 49.5 points.
Michigan took an early lead when quarterback Bryce Underwood punched the ball into the end zone from the 1-yard line. However, the Broncos answered with a field goal, followed by another, and the teams went to the locker room with Michigan leading 7-6. The second half saw a continued defensive struggle, with both teams failing to score until the fourth quarter, when Western Michigan kicked its third field goal of the game to take a 9-7 lead.
The Broncos' Joshua Franklin made a crucial play in the final minutes of the game, managing to punch the ball out of Underwood's grasp as he fell to the turf, allowing Western Michigan to recover the fumble and add another field goal to extend its lead to 12-7. Michigan's Underwood connected with receiver Channing Goodwin on a late drive, but the Wolverines' attempt at a game-winning field goal was thwarted by the one-second remaining on the clock.
However, a review of the play revealed that there was indeed one second left on the clock, allowing the Wolverines to get a snap off and Underwood to connect with JJ Buchanan for a touchdown and a 13-12 Michigan win. The game-winning Hail Mary was a 46-yard beauty, and Underwood's 170 passing yards and 46 rushing yards, including a touchdown, were the highlights of the Wolverines' offense.
The win marks the first victory for the Kyle Whittingham era in Ann Arbor, and it was a heart-stopper for both teams. The Wolverines will look to build on this momentum as they welcome the No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners to the Big House on September 12.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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