Sports Express | September 6, 2026 Michigan's Hail Mary stuns Western Michigan

1. Michigan stuns Western Michigan with a second-chance Hail Mary

Source: AP News

No. 16 Michigan escaped a stunning upset on Saturday night, as Bryce Underwood hit JJ Buchanan for a 47-yard touchdown pass that lifted the Wolverines over Western Michigan 13-12 in head coach Kyle Whittingham's debut. Michigan had entered the game as a 27.5-point favorite.

Western Michigan players were already on the field celebrating when officials called for a review of Underwood's first Hail Mary, which had sailed out of bounds as the clock expired. Replay showed one second remained, giving Michigan a second chance — and Buchanan leaped to snag Underwood's next heave in the end zone.

Western Michigan has never beaten a top-20 opponent since joining the Mid-American Conference in 1962. "I definitely thought the game was over because there were zeroes on the clock," Underwood said. Whittingham called it "one for the history books."

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2. Kiffin's LSU era opens with 51-10 rout of Clemson

Source: Sporting News

LSU opened the Lane Kiffin era with a resounding 51-10 dismantling of Clemson at Tiger Stadium on Saturday, in Kiffin's first game since leaving Ole Miss more than nine months ago.

Quarterback Sam Leavitt ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more in his LSU debut. Clemson finished the first half with negative-four rushing yards, and starting quarterback Christopher Vizzina was replaced by freshman Tait Reynolds to start the second half.

The loss was the worst of the Dabo Swinney era and raised fresh questions about his future at Clemson. A lengthy lightning delay made it the latest start in LSU history.

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3. Blue Jays overcome injuries to climb into wild-card spot

Source: Sportsnet.ca

The Toronto Blue Jays kept rolling through an injury-ravaged season on Saturday, riding 5.2 innings of three-run ball from Max Scherzer and a go-ahead RBI single from Kazuma Okamoto in the seventh to beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 for their eighth win in 10 games.

The victory lifted the Blue Jays to 72-71 and into the American League's third wild-card spot, their first time over .500 since April 3. Their playoff odds, which sat at a season-low 4.3 per cent on Aug. 5, have surged to 49.2 per cent, per Fangraphs.

Pitching coach Pete Walker called it the most difficult year of his career, with Jameson Taillon back on the injured list with elbow inflammation and his season likely over. "There's 19 games left, so you've got to keep doing what you're doing," manager John Schneider said.

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4. Zheng Qinwen stages stunning US Open comeback to reach fourth round

Source: BBC Sport

Zheng Qinwen produced a remarkable US Open comeback on Saturday, winning seven straight games after trailing 5-0 and facing match point in the deciding set to stun 22nd seed and crowd favorite Madison Keys 1-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5.

The Olympic champion, whose ranking dropped as low as 160 after elbow surgery, had to come through qualifying to reach the main draw. "Finally, a bit of luck is on my side," the 23-year-old said. "I am just telling myself never give up."

Zheng became the first qualifier to reach the women's fourth round at the US Open since Emma Raducanu won the title in 2021. Hours later, 13th-seeded Naomi Osaka defeated Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to also reach the fourth round.

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5. UFC Paris: Parnasse KOs Hooker in first round

Source: mmafighting.com

Salahdine Parnasse made a statement in his UFC debut on Saturday, knocking out Dan Hooker in the first round at 2:35 in the main event of UFC Paris at the Accor Arena.

Hooker was looking to snap a two-fight skid, while Parnasse entered on a five-fight winning streak. In the co-main event, Axel Sola knocked out Fares Ziam in the first round at 1:40.

Michael "Venom" Page defeated Nursulton Ruziboev by unanimous decision (29-28 x3) in what could be his final UFC fight.

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6. Vikings legend Harrison Smith returning on one-year deal

Source: CBS Sports

The Minnesota Vikings are bringing back franchise legend Harrison Smith on a one-year, $12.25 million deal, according to NFL Media. The 37-year-old safety will return for his 15th NFL season.

The 12th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, Smith is a six-time Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro in 2017. His 39 career interceptions are the most among active players, to go with 1,180 tackles and 21.5 sacks.

Last season, Smith played 15 games with two interceptions, 10 pass breakups, a forced fumble and 54 tackles. Minnesota opens its 2026 season at home against the Packers on Sept. 13.

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7. Goodman denies complaining about tilted Cardinals cap

Source: The New York Times

Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman denied Saturday that he said anything to umpire Doug Eddings about the tilted cap of St. Louis Cardinals reliever Hancel Rincon. "I never once mentioned the hat," Goodman said. "I don't care how they wear the hat."

The saga began Friday, when Eddings instructed the catcher to tell Rincon, who was making his MLB debut, to straighten his hat. Cardinals manager Oli Marmol then argued and was ejected.

Eddings later explained that a batter had asked whether the pitcher could wear his hat that way. Goodman said he has faced online backlash over the dispute, and no discipline for Marmol or Eddings has been announced.

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8. Oklahoma State stunned by Tulsa in Morris's debut

Source: The Oklahoman

Oklahoma State was outclassed in Eric Morris's head coaching debut on Saturday, falling 24-10 at Tulsa for its second straight season-opening upset loss to the Golden Hurricane. The Cowboys entered as two-touchdown favorites.

Quarterback Drew Mestemaker went 29-for-49 for 241 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. OSU converted just 2 of 6 fourth-down attempts and reached the end zone only once.

Tulsa coach Tre Lamb had declared months ago his team would "beat their a-- again," and it proved prophetic. Oklahoma State hosts Oregon next Saturday.

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9. PWHL's Walter Cup goes missing for second time

Source: Sportsnet.ca

The PWHL's Walter Cup has gone missing for the second time this off-season, failing to arrive at a Michigan event hosted by former Montreal Victoire forward Shiann Darkangelo.

"The Walter Cup did not arrive as expected yesterday, and unfortunately, it will not be at the Athleta event in Brighton today," Darkangelo wrote on Instagram. "I'm genuinely disappointed."

According to The Athletic, the league is aware of the Cup's whereabouts. The trophy previously went missing when it failed to reach Lethbridge, Alta., and was found days later after being "lost in shipment." The tour trophy is a replica of the original sterling silver Tiffany & Co-designed cup, which is permanently stored in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

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10. Iowa steamrolls Northern Illinois 40-0

Source: hawkcentral.com

Iowa steamrolled Northern Illinois 40-0 at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, finishing with 507 yards of offense — a new high for the three-year era of offensive coordinator Tim Lester and the program's most since 2019.

Receiver Diaz, a transfer from Texas-Rio Grande Valley, shined in his debut with seven receptions for 84 yards and Iowa's first touchdown of the season, while running back Kamari Moulton also impressed before 69,250 fans.

Iowa hosts Iowa State on Sept. 12.

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