What happens after the Hail Mary? A look back shows Michigan and Western Michigan likely have more drama ahead

What happens after the Hail Mary? A look back shows Michigan and Western Michigan likely have more drama ahead originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Bryce Underwood's miraculous 47-yard touchdown pass to JJ Buchanan with no time remaining gave Michigan an improbable win over a heartbroken Western Michigan squad and a highlight that will be replayed for ages.

But what happens after the Hail Mary?

If history repeats, Michigan and Western Michigan can expect more absurdity this weekend. In this look at the aftermath of several of college football's most famous Hail Marys, it turns out the drama often spills into the next game. Overtimes, Kick Sixes, hurricanes, major injuries. You name it.

There's an extra challenge for Michigan because many fans believe time ran out before the Wolverines' final play. They face questions about the validity of the victory as they prepare to host a dangerous Oklahoma squad.

It a mystery how the Wolverines will respond. Will the answered prayer galvanize the Wolverines? Will there be friction because a game they were heavily favored in was razor close? Will the buzz be a distraction?

Western Michigan's situation isn't ideal, either. The Broncos were tantalizingly close to a program-changing win and must regroup in time to host Monmouth on Saturday.

One other common thread: in most of these cases, both teams play well the next week.

Here are five other famous college Hail Marys, and how both teams fared the next week.

Miracle in Miami

Boston College 47, Miami 45, Nov. 23, 1984

Doug Flutie avoided the rush and unleashed a 48-yard touchdown pass to a falling Gerard Phelan as time expired to help Boston College knock off the defending national champions at the Orange Bowl. Flutie didn't get a Heisman boost because votes already had been turned in before kickoff.

Next game:

Boston College 45, Holy Cross 10, Dec. 1, 1984

No letdown here. The Eagles rolled as Flutie passed for 276 yards and three touchdowns. He won the Heisman two days later. Boston College went on to beat Houston in the Cotton Bowl to finish 10-2 and No. 5 in the final Associated Press poll.

UCLA 39, Miami 37, Jan. 1, 1985

It got worse for Miami. The Hurricanes had to deal with the aftermath for an entire month before they could get back onto the field for the Fiesta Bowl. UCLA's John Lee hit what turned out to be the game-winning 23-yard field goal with 55 seconds remaining. The defending national champions finished 8-5.

Miracle at Michigan

Colorado 27, Michigan 26, Sept. 24, 1994

Colorado's Kordell Stewart launched a desperation pass more than 70 yards. Colorado's Blake Anderson tipped the ball near the goal line, and teammate Michael Westbrook gathered it in the end zone as time expired.

Next game:

Colorado 34, Texas 31, Oct. 1, 1994

Colorado wasn't done getting the better end of wild finishes. Eventual Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam rushed for 317 yards, Herchell Troutman ran for three touchdowns and Neil Voskeritchian kicked a 24-yard field goal with one second remaining for the game winner. Colorado eventually finished 11-1 and No. 3 in the final AP poll.

Michigan 29, Iowa 14, Oct. 1, 1994

Michigan started off slow before getting it together. Tyrone Wheatley rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns, and the Wolverines pulled away after leading only 16–14 during the second half. Michigan finished 8-4 and won the Holiday Bowl.

Bluegrass Miracle

LSU 33, Kentucky 30, Nov. 9, 2002

Marcus Randall’s desperation pass was tipped into the hands of a waiting Devery Henderson, whose 75-yard touchdown as time expired was the game winner. Kentucky fans had already started celebrating before the shocking play.

Next game:

Alabama 31, LSU 0, Nov. 16, 2002

LSU had nothing left, and Alabama rolled. The Crimson Tide outgained LSU 477 yards to 196. Shaud Williams ran for 131 yards and Santonio Beard ran for 109 for Alabama. The Tigers eventually lost to Texas in the Cotton Bowl and finished 8-5.

Kentucky 41, Vanderbilt 21, Nov. 16, 2002

The Wildcats led 28-21 heading into the fourth quarter before finishing strong. Artose Pinner ran for 224 yards and four touchdowns. Kentucky lost to Tennessee and did not go to a bowl game. Imagine a 7-5 SEC team not getting a bowl bid.

The Prayer at Jordan-Hare

Auburn 43, Georgia 38, Nov. 16, 2013

On fourth-and-18, Auburn's Nick Marshall threw deep for Ricardo Louis. Two Georgia defenders ran into each other as they tried to get to the ball, and Louis snagged the carom in stride for a 73-yard touchdown with 25 seconds remaining.

Next game:

Auburn 34, Alabama 28, Nov. 30, 2013

Auburn produced an even crazier finish its next game against No. 1 Alabama. As the final seconds ticked away, Chris Davis returned a missed field goal more than 100 yards as time expired, sending Auburn to the SEC Championship Game. Auburn beat Missouri in the Big 12 title game, then lost to Florida State in the national championship game.

Georgia's next game:

Georgia 59, Kentucky 17, Nov. 23, 2013

Georgia won big, but quarterback Aaron Murray tore the ACL in his left knee in the second quarter, ending his Georgia career. The Bulldogs closed the regular season by beating Georgia Tech in overtime, then lost the Gator Bowl to Nebraska to finish 8-5.

The Dobbsnail Boot

Tennessee 34, Georgia 31, Oct. 1, 2016

Both teams had prayers answered in this one. Georgia took the lead with 10 seconds remaining on a 47-yard pass from Jacob Eason to Riley Ridley, but the fun wasn't over. Tennessee's Joshua Dobbs answered with a 43-yard connection with Jauan Jennings as time expired. Georgia started the game with a 17-0 lead and was up 24-14 heading into the fourth quarter.

Next game:

Texas A&M 45, Tennessee 38, 2 OT, Oct. 8, 2016

Tennessee overcame a 21-point deficit to force overtime, but Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight scored on a 1-yard run to put the Aggies ahead. Dobbs threw an interception to Armani Watts in the second overtime that ended the game. It was Tennessee's seventh turnover of the game. The Volunteers finished 9-4 and beat Nebraska in the Music City Bowl.

Georgia 28, South Carolina 14, Oct. 9, 2016

This game at South Carolina was played on a Sunday because of Hurricane Matthew. Georgia had an up-and-down season, going 5-3 after the Hail Mary to finish 8-5.

Also:Things aren't perfect for Oklahoma heading into Michigan showdown

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