Western Michigan BroncosvsMichigan Wolverines
WMU 12/MICH 13
Things to say
Michigan edged Western Michigan 13-12 at the Big House on a walk-off touchdown as time expired.
01
opener
Michigan needed the whole 60 minutes for that one. Down 12-7 late, then Underwood hits Buchanan for the score as the clock hits zero. Way too close for a home opener.
02
key player
JJ Buchanan was the whole passing game — six catches, 126 yards, and the game-winner. Take him out and Michigan doesn't score through the air.
03
hot take
Twelve points on four field goals and Western Michigan still almost stole it. That tells you Michigan couldn't move the ball, and the defense bailed them out.
04
deep cut
Western Michigan never found the end zone all night — Dieter Kelly just kept trotting out for field goals. You can't win handing your kicker every drive in the red zone.
05
exit
One-point survival at home isn't a great sign. We'll see if they clean it up next week.
The recap
Michigan needed a last-gasp miracle to avoid one of the ugliest openers you'll ever see, escaping 13-12 when Bryce Underwood hit JJ Buchanan for a 47-yard touchdown with the clock winding down. For most of the night the Wolverines couldn't move the ball, letting Western Michigan hang around on the leg of Dieter Kelly, who booted four field goals to nudge the underdogs ahead 12-7.
Buchanan was the difference-maker, racking up 126 receiving yards and the only score that mattered, while Underwood grinded through a sloppy 170-yard day. Nobody in Ann Arbor covered anything easily, but the home team found just enough to survive the scare.