Michigan Football's Wild Finish Ranks Among Best

College football fans may recall Michigan's improbable Week 1 victory over Western Michigan, a game punctuated by a last-second touchdown that secured the win. The thrilling conclusion now ranks among the sport's most unforgettable finishes.

The "Big Noon Kickoff" crew recently highlighted several legendary college football endings, including Michigan's latest triumph. The discussion featured iconic plays such as the 1982 Cal-Stanford game, where California won on a kickoff return with five laterals while the Stanford band stormed the field. Doug Flutie's desperation pass to Gerard Phelan for the game-winning score against Miami in 1984, "Hail Flutie," also made the list. The segment included Kordell Stewart's 64-yard touchdown pass for Colorado against Michigan in 1994, a play FOX Sports NFL analyst Charles Woodson, who attended the game as a recruit, called particularly painful.

Other dramatic finishes recalled were the "Bush Push" in the 2005 USC-Notre Dame game, where Reggie Bush helped USC quarterback Matt Leinart into the end zone for the winning score. Auburn's Chris Davis returned a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the 2013 Iron Bowl. The 2015 Michigan State-Michigan game also featured a stunning upset when Jalen Watts-Jackson scooped a botched punt for the winning touchdown for Michigan State.

The recent Michigan-Western Michigan game's conclusion was particularly dramatic. With seconds left and trailing 12-7, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood's initial Hail Mary fell incomplete as time expired. Officials reviewed the play and determined one second remained. On the subsequent play, Underwood connected with wide receiver JJ Buchanan for a 47-yard touchdown, giving Michigan a 13-12 victory. "Big Noon Kickoff" host Dave Portnoy ranked this finish third all-time, behind the 1982 Cal-Stanford game and "Hail Flutie." He noted that the widespread desire to see Michigan lose made the comeback particularly satisfying for many.