Michigan Wolverines fend off shocking upset bid from Western Michigan in early season thriller

Michigan edges Western Michigan 13‑12 in a tight, clock‑ticking Week 1 game

Ann Arbor, MI – Saturday night, 2025‑season opener at Michigan Stadium

The Michigan Wolverines survived a late surge from the Western Michigan Broncos to notch a 13‑12 victory in a defensive slugfest that turned into a thriller in the final minutes. The win was the first of head coach Kyle Whittingham’s tenure and the only upset of the 2025 season’s opening week, as the Wolverines were favored to dominate by 27½ points and were expected to run up a high‑scoring contest.

A slow start

Michigan took the lead early when quarterback Bryce Underwood ripped a 1‑yard touchdown run, putting the Wolverines on top 7‑0. Western Michigan answered with a field goal, and before the half, the Broncos added a second kick to trail 7‑6. The first half was a defensive standoff, with both teams failing to score again until the fourth quarter.

Fourth‑quarter drama

The first score of the third quarter came when Western Michigan’s kicker added a third field goal to take a 9‑7 lead. A fumble by the Broncos on a subsequent drive was almost costly, but the defense forced a turnover and the team stayed in control, kicking a fourth field goal