“It’s the attack from the MAC! Western Michigan sends shockwaves across the college football world!”
That was NBC’s Noah Eagle as the WMU Broncos finished off their epic upset win over the mighty Michigan Wolverines in the Big House on Saturday night.
Michigan tried in vain to win on a Hail Mary attempt to the end zone, but quarterback Bryce Underwood’s pass fell to the ground as the clock hit 0:00, cementing the 12-7 outcome.
Until it didn’t.
Immediately after the play, the stadium announcer said it was under review. And a few moments later, the head referee stepped to the middle of the field and said, “After review, there’s one second remaining in the game. Third down.”
NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay was confused as to what the referees were seeing to add a second back on, but regardless, the two teams returned to the field for what would undoubtedly be one more Hail Mary attempt. And then…
The mind-blowing, controversial Western Michigan-Michigan finish.
Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge, and rules analyst Terry McAulay have the commentary on the stunning scene for NBC. 🏈🦓🎙️ pic.twitter.com/n9YE3OpXde
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 6, 2026
Underwood heaved the ball toward the end zone, JJ Buchanan somehow hauled it in amid a sea of Western Michigan defenders, and the Wolverines had pulled out the shocking victory, 13-12.
Naturally, confusion reigned as no explanation was given for why the second was added back to the clock, especially when both the game clock and NBC’s clock (per McAulay) read 0:00 before the ball even reached a player.
All across the college media world, the reactions were as spicy and flabbergasted as you might expect.
That extra second will be the most scrutinized second in college football this weekend. What a stunning scene in Ann Arbor. https://t.co/guXLDwstF3
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 6, 2026
This is truly the worst thing that could happen for the Big Ten.
This is a major college football scandal that is going to resonate beyond sports coverage and, I predict, cost someone or multiple people their jobs.
It cannot happen. I want investigations and firings now.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) September 6, 2026
I’m gonna need to know how Western Michigan didn’t get completely screwed over there. All the replays showed 0 seconds.
— Chris Vannini (@chrisvannini.com) September 5, 2026 at 7:55 PM
It wasn’t particularly close. The ball was still in the air when the clock hit 0:00.
We’re going to need an explanation why the officials put 1 second back on.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 6, 2026
Total robbery. Not a chance there was any time left.
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) September 6, 2026
Love you college football. But this incredible moment should never have happened. pic.twitter.com/T1KK9jwSkK
— Rob Stone (@RobStoneONFOX) September 6, 2026
How is there a second ?
That’s absolutely. brutal.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) September 6, 2026
I still can’t believe they added a second back.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 6, 2026
On the Michigan ending: Big Ten needs to explain how the clock wasn’t synced up. Am told the Hawk-Eye replay system gets recalibrated every quarter to avoid anything like this. Weird situation given the video NBC showed. This is not quite like the first down line graphic on a broadcast.
— Bruce Feldman (@brucefeldmancfb.bsky.social) September 5, 2026 at 9:09 PM
You better believe the reactions and conversation around this controversial finish are only just beginning.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.