Michigan avoids upset on controversial Hail Mary that never should have happened

The first game of the Kyle Whittingham era at Michigan resulted in a win, but it's not one that anybody at the program should be feeling good about. 

It might also be the most controversial win that happens throughout the entirety of the 2026 college football season.

Bryce Underwood salvaged an absolutely dreadful performance in a 13-12 win over Western Michigan by completing a desperation, 47-yard Hail Mary to JJ Buchanan as time expired to help Michigan avoid what would have been an embarrassing home upset as 27.5-point favorites.

The problem: The play never should have happened, and nobody really understands why it did.

Michigan gets an extra second that did not exist on the clock

The chaos began one play prior to Underwood's touchdown pass.

With nine seconds remaining, Underwood took the snap, scrambled around, and unleashed a Hail Mary attempt toward the end zone that went out of the field of the play and left the clock reading all zeroes. 

The officials, however, reviewed the play to see if there should be any time left on the clock.

It clearly showed all zeroes before any player touched the ball, and before it landed out of bounds. Despite that the officials put an extra second on the clock, giving Underwood and Michigan one more throw.

Here is the entire sequence, including NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay having no explanation for why an extra second would be added.