THE BAIL MARY
By Lane C.
Staff Writer
Good afternoon. The Michigan Wolverines might have just suffered more from a win than they would have from a loss.
On Saturday night in Ann Arbor, the Western Michigan Broncos rolled into the Big House ready to shock the country. Coming in as 27.5-point underdogs, the Broncos, with a win, would have pulled off the second-biggest upset against Michigan in history, trailing only the infamous Appalachian State shocker in 2007.
Through 60 minutes (the official regulation runtime of a college football game) it seemed that the impossible had been achieved. Western Michigan’s defense had absolutely smothered $12-million quarterback Bryce Underwood. After a failed Hail Mary left the clock reading double zero, Underwood’s team looked astounded. The score read 12-7. Western Michigan wins. Bryce Underwood finished with an abysmal statline of just 11-for-21, passing for 123 yards and no touchdowns. He also threw a puzzling interception before halftime. Game over. Western Michigan couldn’t wait to party for the entire hour-and-a-half drive home.
Not so fast! The Big Ten refs weren’t quite satisfied with this outcome. After the stadium fell silent and the Wolverines sulked on the sideline, the officiating crew announced that one second would be added to the clock. One more play. The explanation was that WMU safety Micah Davis touched the ball with one second remaining. The issue was that the television replays showed him clearly touching it after the clock hit zero. No doubt about it.
After both teams were dragged back onto the field, Michigan made the most of its opportunity.
Underwood took the snap, bought some time (again) and launched a 47-yard prayer. A prayer soon to be answered by football satan. JJ Buchanan of the Michigan Wolverines came down with it. The game was now over (again). This time a different victor emerged.
The Big House erupted. The crowd rushed the field against a MAC team. Underwood mean-mugged a team of future car salesmen.
The Big Ten has defended the decision. Grainy fan footage showed an official pointing to the clock, which retained one second after the touch. OK. That seems iffy. The controversy proved louder than the win. We will see how Michigan fares against Oklahoma, but they have given spectators little in the way of confidence.