Wolverines Escape Ann Arbor: Michigan Survives 13-12 Over Feisty Broncos

It shouldn't have been this close, and yet here we are, breathing a sigh of relief after the Wolverines squeaked past Western Michigan 13-12 Saturday night in Ann Arbor. Bryce Underwood found JJ Buchanan for a 47-yard touchdown strike, and that early spark was nearly the only thing that saved them— because the No. 16 Wolverines were 27 1/2-point favorites and the defending MAC champs never got the memo. The Broncos kicked four field goals, forced three turnovers, and grabbed their first lead early in the fourth on Dieter Kelly's 39-yard boot capping a 20-play drive that ate 13:40 off the clock. Underwood lost a fumble at his 31 with 1:50 left and threw a first-half pick, and the ghost of App State 2007 came whispering. Then came the chaos: a Hail Mary, a review, one second put back, and a Big Ten statement two hours after the final. UM escaped — and now No. 10 Oklahoma comes to town Saturday. That one won't forgive a 12-point night.