What was supposed to be an upset win for the Western Michigan Broncos turned controversial after officials put an extra second back on the clock on the final play of the Week 1 showdown. Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood then connected with wide receiver JJ Buchanan for a 47-yard game-winning touchdown in the end zone to clinch a 13-12 victory.
The controversial call instantly got fans talking, with experts and former NFL players coming out in support of the Broncos.
Adding more fuel to the controversy was a statement from the Big Ten Conference justifying the officials’ decision to reset the clock from 0:00 to 0:01.
Ex-NFL Players Lose Their Minds Over Officials’ Call in Michigan vs. WMU
When the ball sailed through the back of the end zone on the final play before the clock was reset, it was touched by Western Michigan player Micah Davis.
According to the replay review, his left foot was already established out of bounds when he jumped. The frame in which he can be seen making contact with the ball showed exactly one second remaining on the stadium clock.
A statement regarding the results of tonight’s game between Michigan and Western Michigan. pic.twitter.com/DzJVN2ZLTc
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) September 6, 2026
The Big Ten statement quoted NCAA football Rule 4-2-3-a, which states that “a ball not in player control, other than a kick that scores a field goal, is out-of-bounds when it touches the ground, a player, a game official, or anything else that is out-of-bounds, or that is on or outside a boundary line.” As a result, the clock was stopped because Davis touched a live ball, immediately forcing the officials to reset the clock.
However, fans and experts alike argue that the clock had already hit 0:00 when the ball was sailing through the air, meaning the game was technically over and Western Michigan had won.
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Alabama Heisman winner Mark Ingram II couldn’t wrap his head around the controversial call. “Somebody’s gotta go to jail for this,” he wrote on X.
Similarly, former NFL offensive tackle Terron Armstead came out in support of the Broncos and gave them their flowers.
“No no no this is not okay man!! Nothing against Michigan but they lost that game! Game was over!! Clock was ZERO! We have to protect the integrity of our game man, and this isn’t it. Shoutout Western Michigan, great win from start to finish!” he wrote.
No no no this is not okay man!!
Nothing against Michigan but they lost that game! Game was over!! Clock was ZERO!
We have to protect the integrity of our game man, and this isn’t it‼️‼️Shoutout Western Michigan @WMU_Football great win from start to finish!
I don’t care!
— Terron Armstead (@T_Armstead72) September 6, 2026
“Stinky,” said former Saints receiver Michael Thomas, while ex-NFL linebacker Will Compton echoed the same sentiment, claiming the Broncos deserved to win.
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“I finally checked it out as well, and holy [expletive]…Western Michigan should be 1-0,” he added.
As usual, podcaster Brandon Walker was furious at the officials and the Big Ten statement while unloading his frustration on Michigan superfan Dave Portnoy over his postgame clip.
Portnoy later came forward with yet another clip responding to Michigan haters and Walker, claiming that the Wolverines “pulled the rabbit from the hat” and that the game would go down as one of the greatest college football games ever.
“Be a sportsman about it,” was Portnoy’s respone.
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Regardless of the debate over whether the call was justifiable, Michigan took the dub, kicking off the Kyle Whittingham era at Ann Arbor with a bang.
While the Wolverines registered a Week 1 win, the real challenge awaits next week when they host the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, September 12.
