Michigan claimed a victory over Western Michigan during the first official weekend of college football. However, the Wolverines have a history of controversial last-second wins, dating back to a home game against Oberlin College in 1892.
The two sides dispute the final outcome to this day.
While these two college football clock controversies may not be exactly the same, there is an unusual overlap. In both scenarios, Michigan got to run an extra play after the game appeared to be over.
Michigan beat Western Michigan on a last-second Hail Mary.
As Week 2 nears closer, the Michigan Wolverines continue to be one of, if not the biggest storyline in college football. They barely escaped with a win over Western Michigan at home last weekend in Kyle Whittingham’s first game as head coach. Quarterback Bryce Underwood did not live up to his ~$11 million paycheck. The Broncos thought they had pulled the upset.
We all saw it happen. If not in real time, then on replay.
Michigan trailed by five points with less than 10 minutes remaining on the clock. Underwood threw a Hail Mary to the end zone that fell incomplete. Time appeared to expire when the play came to an official end. Western Michigan won the football game.
And then the officials ruled otherwise.
They put one second back on the clock. The Wolverines got another play. The second Hail Mary attempt was caught in the end zone for a touchdown to give Michigan a one-point win. It was a controversial decision, to say the least.
Although the MAC is choosing to appeal the loss, a frame-by-frame video and mistimed game clock seem to show that there was in fact time remaining after the first Hail Mary attempt. A new angle from inside the stadium also seems to settle the debate.
We may never know whether or not the officials actually made the correct decision but the result is going to stand. The Wolverines will forever claim a win they might not have deserved— much like they did 134 years ago.
Oberlin College stands by its college football win from 1892.
Founded in 1833, Oberlin College is a small private school located in Oberlin, Ohio. It is the oldest coeducational liberal arts college in the United States. It enrolls approximately 2,800 students today.
Less than 60 years after it was founded, Oberlin traveled to Ann Arbor to play Michigan in college football. As the story goes, both sides agreed to stop playing at 4:50 p.m. so the Yeomen could catch the last train home at the end of the day.
The agreement was not unusual. The Wolverines agreed to the exact same plan against the same opponent just one year prior.
Unfortunately, the 1892 game took much longer than planned due to penalties, turnovers and bad weather. There were a lot of delays. Just over four minutes remained on the game clock as the time clock approached the 4:50 p.m. stoppage. The game was not going to be played in its entirety.
Oberlin had the ball on offense at 4:49 p.m. and the score was tied at 22-22. The Yeomen kicked a field goal.
Because field goals were only worth two points at the time, Oberlin took a 24-22 lead over Michigan. Time was called per the 4:50 p.m. agreement before the start of the next play.
The Yeomen left the field to catch their train. They were victorious by a two-point differential. Game over. Or was it?
The Wolverines did not agree. They lined up on the field while the visitors were departing and walked the ball over the goal line for a touchdown. That would’ve put the score at 26-14 in favor of the home team. However, the time was already called.
To this day, Oberlin claims the win over Michigan during its undefeated season in 1892. And to this day, Michigan claims the win over Oberlin. The disagreement was never resolved. Both teams claim a win!