Western Michigan coach: 'I know when I looked up at the clock, it was past zeroes before we touched it' ahead of Michigan's controversial Hail Mary

Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor believes the clock was at zero when his team forced Michigan's Hail Mary to fall incomplete.

The No. 16 Wolverines got a second chance at a Hail Mary after officials controversially added a second back onto the clock and made the most of that second when JJ Buchanan caught the pass from Bryce Underwood for a 13-12 win.

WMU appeared to have escaped with a 12-7 upset win after Underwood's pass didn't touch a WMU player who had stepped out of bounds until there was no time remaining on the clock. However, officials ruled after a replay review that there was, somehow, still one second remaining.

After the game, Taylor was asked in his news conference about the play. He was diplomatic and said that it was also an opportunity for his defense.

"I have not seen the clip, several people have mentioned it to me that the game was over. I think one, [MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher] has already reached out. Normally he handles those type of situations and reviews. I thought that the crew tonight did a really nice job handling multiple close calls and review situations. We had several where the spot was questioned and reviewed and those calls went our way, the review went our way. So, listen, I'll let our commissioner and those guys handle it. "At the end of the day, you don't always control those situations or is there a second left on the clock — we talk a lot about just respond, regardless of what the circumstances are. We can't control whether there's a second left on the clock or not. We went out the first time, we defended perfectly the Hail Mary situation. I thought our guys did an excellent job. I know when I looked up at the clock, it was past zeroes before we touched it. I knew they'd review it, it was the last play of the game and because we defended it so well wasn't worried or concerned about our guys going out and defending it the second time, and unfortunately we did not defend it as well the second time. A little bit different — the first time he threw it towards the back of the goal line and out of bounds, the second attempt he threw it towards the front of the goal line and the receiver went up and made a nice play and was able to get into the end zone and I think that's a good lesson for our defense. We can't just box out the back of the end zone. We've got to make sure we cover them up at the front pylon as well. So we'll learn from that and grow and I'm sure I'll watch the TV copy now."

"I have not seen the clip, several people have mentioned it to me that the game was over. I think one, [MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher] has already reached out. Normally he handles those type of situations and reviews. I thought that the crew tonight did a really nice job handling multiple close calls and review situations. We had several where the spot was questioned and reviewed and those calls went our way, the review went our way. So, listen, I'll let our commissioner and those guys handle it.

"At the end of the day, you don't always control those situations or is there a second left on the clock — we talk a lot about just respond, regardless of what the circumstances are. We can't control whether there's a second left on the clock or not. We went out the first time, we defended perfectly the Hail Mary situation. I thought our guys did an excellent job. I know when I looked up at the clock, it was past zeroes before we touched it. I knew they'd review it, it was the last play of the game and because we defended it so well wasn't worried or concerned about our guys going out and defending it the second time, and unfortunately we did not defend it as well the second time. A little bit different — the first time he threw it towards the back of the goal line and out of bounds, the second attempt he threw it towards the front of the goal line and the receiver went up and made a nice play and was able to get into the end zone and I think that's a good lesson for our defense. We can't just box out the back of the end zone. We've got to make sure we cover them up at the front pylon as well. So we'll learn from that and grow and I'm sure I'll watch the TV copy now."

Western Michigan had the ball for over 40 minutes of game time as it tried to limit Michigan's possessions. The strategy worked for much of the night. After Underwood fumbled with 1:40 to go, WMU added a field goal to make it a five-point lead with 35 seconds to go.

But Underwood hit Buchanan for 28 yards on third down with 11 seconds to go to get the Wolverines into WMU territory. That play then set up what could become one of the most famous Michigan plays of all time. And one that the Big Ten's replay crew will need to explain thoroughly to convince most non-Michigan fans that the game clock should have been adjusted.