Michigan Stuns Western Michigan With 47-Yard Hail Mary on Final Play of Season Opener

JJ Buchanan delivers a Michigan Stadium miracle as No. 16 Wolverines overcome three turnovers and a late five-point deficit to escape Western Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. | Michigan needed one second, one throw and one remarkable catch to turn what appeared destined to be a stunning season-opening defeat into an unforgettable victory.

With No. 16 Michigan trailing Western Michigan by five and the clock about to expire, quarterback Bryce Underwood launched a desperation pass toward the end zone. JJ Buchanan came down with the 47-yard Hail Mary as time expired, delivering a dramatic walk-off touchdown and sending Michigan Stadium into celebration.

Call it the Michigan Miracle.

For a Wolverines team that struggled offensively for much of the afternoon, the final play erased nearly everything that had gone wrong. Michigan overcame three turnovers, a 30% third-down conversion rate and a Western Michigan offense that controlled the football for long stretches of the second half.

Most importantly, the Wolverines escaped their opener with a victory, improving to 9-0 all-time against Western Michigan.

JJ Buchanan Becomes Michigan's Opening-Day Hero

Buchanan could hardly have picked a more dramatic moment for his first touchdown in a Michigan uniform.

Trailing by five with only 35 seconds remaining, the Wolverines pushed the ball to midfield and managed to preserve one final second.

That was enough.

Underwood sent the football deep, and Buchanan emerged with the 47-yard touchdown reception on the game's final play.