Michigan’s last-gasp miracle by Bryce Underwood saves Whittingham debut from disaster

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A fraction of a second from a devastating loss, Michigan kicked off the Kyle Whittingham era with an improbable victory for the ages.

Quarterback Bryce Underwood connected on a 47-yard Hail Mary to JJ Buchanan to give No. 16 Michigan a 13-12 victory against Western Michigan, sending fans spilling out of the stands for an impromptu dance party Saturday night inside Michigan Stadium.

The play only happened because officials ruled that Underwood’s first attempt at a Hail Mary sailed out of the end zone before time expired. Western Michigan players rushed the field in celebration, only to be sent back to the sideline after officials ruled that Michigan had 1 second remaining.

Underwood’s Hail Mary rescued Michigan from a nightmarish start in Whittingham’s first game as coach. After driving for a touchdown on their opening drive, the Wolverines didn’t score again until Buchanan snagged Underwood’s pass amid a crowd of defenders in the end zone.

Western Michigan entered the game as nearly a four-touchdown underdog but appeared, briefly, to have handed Michigan just its second loss ever to a Mid-American Conference team.

Here are instant takeaways.

Before the miracle — a brutal game for Underwood

All of the talk about Underwood’s offseason progress, his improved mechanics and his consistency in camp didn’t translate on field. If anything, Underwood looked shakier than he did as a freshman starter last season.

An interception by Underwood gifted Western Michigan three points at the end of the first half. His accuracy and decision-making were suspect once again. His best play for most of the night was a fumbled snap on Michigan’s opening drive that he recovered and threw to Buchanan, who made a one-handed grab of a high pass.

The interception at the end of the first half was inexcusable. Michigan was 80 yards from the end zone with 10 seconds remaining in the half and hadn’t moved the ball at all since its first drive. Underwood threw an out route to the sideline that was intercepted and nearly returned for a touchdown. The play gave Western Michigan a field goal as time expired in the first half, and those three points loomed large as Western Michigan took a 9-7 lead in the fourth quarter.

Underwood wasn’t Michigan’s only problem, but his struggles were impossible to ignore. Michigan simply can’t win in the Big Ten without better quarterback play.

Beck’s debut fizzles

Offensive coordinator Jason Beck came to Michigan with a reputation for offensive turnarounds. This Michigan offense looked nothing like Beck’s offenses at Utah and New Mexico that finished No. 2 in the FBS in rushing.

If nothing else, Michigan appeared to have the personnel to run the ball effectively. That didn’t happen Saturday, as the Wolverines finished with 106 rushing yards on 25 carries, an average of 4.2 yards per rush.

Running back Jordan Marshall had just 44 yards on 11 carries, and five-star freshman Savion Hiter wasn’t a factor. Michigan’s offensive line, a unit that was expected to be a strength, generated little push against Western Michigan’s defensive front.

Aside from the opening drive, when Michigan cruised 75 yards for a touchdown, and the game-winning heave, the offense was moribund. Even when the Wolverines were lacking in offensive firepower last season, they knew they could run the ball. That wasn’t the case Saturday.

This story will be updated.