Michigan news: NCAA clarifies protocol amid fallout from Wolverines’ win appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Michigan’s victory over Western Michigan, 13-12, at Michigan Stadium on Saturday will remain in the record books despite the controversy surrounding the dramatic ending.

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The Wolverines won via the Hail Mary pass from Bryce Underwood to JJ Buchanan for the walk-off touchdown. Michigan benefited from the decision of the game officials to put one second on the game clock after reviewing the replay of Underwood’s initial pass that sailed to the back of the end zone as time expired, as shown on the stadium clock and the broadcast clock.

The MAC appealed the result, saying the Broncos should be declared the winner. The NCAA, however, affirmed Michigan’s victory, explaining that it does not have a mechanism to overturn the outcome of a game.

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In a memorandum shared by The Athletic’s Ralph Russo, the NCAA instituted a protocol for when a “replay review requires time to be restored or otherwise adjusted.”

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“The replay official’s decision will be based on the embedded game clock contained within the program feed. If the broadcaster is unable to provide an embedded game clock, the replay official will use the game-clock graphic displayed as part of the broadcast feed,” said the memorandum.

“Moving forward, this timing protocol should be followed consistently at all institutions and game sites.”

Last year’s winner Ousmane Dembele, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe are among the top contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or.

The 30 men’s and 30 women’s nominees were revealed by France Football magazine on Tuesday, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony in London on Oct. 26.

In the women’s field, two-time winner Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor and Melchie Dumornay are among the favorites. Aitana Bonmati, the winner of the past three awards, did not make the cut after missing most of the season through injury. She returned at the end of Barcelona’s quadruple-winning season that included another Champions League title.

Dembele and Mbappe both played for France at the World Cup, where their team lost to eventual champion Spain in the semifinals. Although it’s difficult to win the accolade without a major trophy, Mbappe made history when he overtook Lionel Messi for the most all-time World Cup goals (22), in fewer games.

After claiming a second straight Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain, Dembele has a chance to retain the Ballon d’Or.

Kane had one of his best seasons, scoring 73 goals for club and country and winning the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich. Kane also led England to a third-place finish at the World Cup.

The 39-year-old Messi, who has a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, was on the shortlist after guiding Argentina to a runner-up finish at the World Cup and winning Major League Soccer with Inter Miami. The other three Ballon d’Or winners still active, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Luka Modric, were not in the list.

PSG dominatesDembele was one of nine PSG players – 10 including newly acquired Ferran Torres – nominated for the men’s award, alongside Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha. Torres scored Spain’s winner in the World Cup final.

In an interview with France Football, Dembele said he expects the award to remain at PSG. Asked to name his top three in no particular order, he cited PSG teammate Kvaratskhelia, Kane and Mbappe. He also mentioned Michael Olise, Lamine Yamal, Ruiz and Pacho, but did not include himself.

“I don’t think the trophy is undecided. I think it will remain in the hands of a Paris Saint-Germain player,” he said.

The other men’s nominees include Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, as well as Manchester City striker.

Italy, which did not qualify for the World Cup, and the Netherlands and Germany had no representatives. Only one player from Serie A, Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan, was selected.

There was no goalkeeper nominated, ensuring Lev Yashin remains the only keeper to win the coveted trophy (1963) for another year.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony is moving from its traditional Paris home to London this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the first award won by England great Stanley Matthews.

The voting systemThe Ballon d’Or was created by France Football and has been awarded since 1956 for men, and since 2018 for women. It is voted for by journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings for the men’s award and the top 50 FIFA-ranked countries for the women’s award.

Each journalist, one per country, selects players in ranked order with points attributed to each position. The winner is the player who receives the most points.

Organizers say the trophy is awarded based on three criteria, in order of importance: 1, individual performances, decisive and impressive character; 2, collective performances and titles won; 3, class and fair play. The performance period is Aug. 3, 2025 to July 19 – the day of this year’s World Cup final.

Calvin Oftana in action against New Zealand in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

READ: SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas men at Asian Games 2026 5×5 basketball

MANILA, Philippines–Gilas Pilipinas will field a 12-man squad for its defense of the Asian Games gold after all.

Coach Tim Cone on Wednesday confirmed the inclusion of Calvin Oftana for the Aichi-Nagoya Games, where he will fill the slot previously reserved for Justin Brownlee.

Cone said Oftana is due to arrive in Japan as of posting time.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas at Asian Games 2026: What you need to know

“We hope he arrives in time to make our practice schedule today,” Cone said.

Oftana will be making his first Gilas appearance since the second window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers in February.

He has missed the last two windows of the Asian Qualifiers due to injuries to his hamstring and toe.

READ: Gilas ready to go with 11 players if Brownlee misses Asian Games

The TNT star takes the place of Brownlee, who has been ruled out for the Asiad despite hopes that he may return after missing the fourth window of the Fiba qualification.

Cone initially said Gilas would be fine with an 11-man roster, but an additional body suddeniy became a necessity, especially after getting swept badly by South Korea in a two-game exhibition in Suwon over the weekend.

Oftana comes in two days before Gilas opens its Asiad campaign against Bahrain.

FILE – Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson holds up his NBA championship ring during a ceremony before the Lakers’ basketball game against the Houston Rockets, in Los Angeles, Oct. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)

The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of former coach Phil Jackson outside their downtown arena next year.

The Lakers announced the plan Tuesday to honor Jackson, who led the Lakers to five championships and seven NBA Finals appearances during two stints totaling 11 seasons as their head coach.

The statue will be unveiled April 9 before the Lakers’ home game against Minnesota.

READ: Lakers unveil statue of Pat Riley, Showtime coaching mastermind

After his famed tenure leading Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls to six championships, Jackson joined the Lakers in 1999 and immediately began another era of major success for the 17-time NBA champion franchise.

His first three teams in Los Angeles won championships behind the dynamic duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, and the Lakers added two more titles in 2009 and 2010 led by Bryant and Pau Gasol. His Lakers also made the NBA Finals in 2004 and 2008.

Jackson set the Lakers franchise record for coaches with 610 victories while leading his teams to the playoffs in every year of his tenure, which ended in 2011.

“Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “His masterful approach to coaching brought out the best in some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game.

READ: Kobe Bryant immortalized with bronze statue outside Lakers’ arena

After he accepted my dad’s invitation to join the Lakers, Phil’s unmatched creativity and commitment to excellence restored our championship legacy, bringing five titles and setting a standard of excellence for generations to come. It is a great joy to be able to mark that achievement with the statue he so richly deserves.”

Jackson will be the ninth person associated with the Lakers to be honored with a statue in Star Plaza outside their arena. He joins Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Bryant, O’Neal, broadcaster Chick Hearn and former coach Pat Riley, whose statue was unveiled earlier this year.

Jackson’s 11 championships as a head coach are the most in NBA history. The North Dakota native and former New York Knicks forward is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Former Dakkada FC star Emmanuel Ayaosi has been included in Slavia Prague’s squad for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League campaign.

The Nigerian forward is now on the verge of playing in Europe’s biggest club competition, completing another important step in his rapid rise in football.

Ayaosi was signed by Dakkada FC at a very young age and played in the NPFL as a youngster. He quickly made an impression in the league before moving abroad to continue his career.

The 21-year-old has now earned his place in Slavia Prague’s Champions League squad after making a strong start to the new season.

Ayaosi has scored in back-to-back matches for Slavia, finding the net in wins over Sparta Prague and Brno.

His recent form has further raised expectations around the young Nigerian as Slavia prepare for their Champions League campaign.

The Czech champions could hand Ayaosi his first Champions League appearance when they face French side RC Lens in their opening match.

Slavia Prague signed Ayaosi from Czech league rivals Karvina after his impressive performances attracted interest from several clubs.

Viktoria Plzen and other clubs were reportedly interested in the winger, but Slavia moved quickly to secure his signature.

The move made Ayaosi the club’s first signing of the upcoming season as they strengthened their squad for another domestic title challenge and their European campaign.

From playing in the NPFL at a very young age with Dakkada FC to standing on the brink of the Champions League, Ayaosi’s journey is a proud story of development, determination and opportunity.

The next step could see the Nigerian talent make his name on one of football’s biggest stages.

Making it to Super Bowl LX isn’t enough to reserve a spot in Colin Cowherd’s top 10 – the first Herd Hierarchy before Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, shared on Tuesday’s edition of “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” revealed as much. 

The New England Patriots aren’t the only team missing, however: Cowherd made a point of saying that the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens were both close to making this inaugural list… but not close enough.

There’s plenty of season left for the teams missing from it now to play their way into the Hierarchy. But for now, here is Cowherd’s actual top 10 before Week 1 kicks off – which includes Super Bowl LX’s champions, at least.

Cowherd’s thoughts: “One of the most improved teams, and one of the teams that I thought made real moves, the Cincinnati Bengals. They’ve won the division the two times they’ve given Joe Burrow a top-20 defense. And by adding Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Kyle Dugger, Cashius Howell and Boye Mafe, I think they’re going to have a top-20 defense. You also look in their division: old Aaron Rodgers twice, the Browns’ quarterback situation twice, I think when Burrow doesn’t have to only win by track meet, is a playoff quarterback.”

Cowherd’s thoughts: “Best defense in the league by a margin. Listen, they’ve won 10 of their last 11 games, I’m a fan of C.J. Stroud — though the last two years, too many mistakes — they return 10 of the 11 starters that made their defense and shut down the L.A. Rams. The Seahawks couldn’t even do that. I like the Texans a lot: Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr., Derek Stingley Jr. are about as good as anybody in the league at their positions, and I love head coach DeMeco Ryans and their GM — they just can’t stay healthy at wide receiver.”

Cowherd’s thoughts: “Listen: 10-1 when they won the turnover battle. And here’s the good news: Caleb Williams doesn’t turn the ball over. He does not throw interceptions. He didn’t at USC, he doesn’t in the NFL, he didn’t in high school. And I think Colston Loveland, Luther Burden and Rome Odunze, as they now age, are going to become an elite, top of the league trio. Rome Odunze had a nice camp, he’s finally healthy. Do I worry about a lack of a consistent pass rush? Yes, that’s why I have the bears at No. 8.

TDs, not INTs, that’s what Caleb Williams gives the Bears. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Cowherd’s thoughts: “I think we’re overselling the fact that they trailed in a lot of games last year. Well, adding Jaylen Waddle, there’s a chance that will rejuvenate the passing game a little bit. They gave up the fewest sacks, and for two years in a row have led the NFL in sacks. They have an elite coach and returned 41 of their 43 offensive touchdowns. Yes, their schedule’s hard, yes, it’s a great coaching division, but I think Bo Nix is — and I think a lot of people are struggling to acknowledge — pretty good! He may not be great, but he’s pretty good.”

Cowherd’s thoughts: “Worry about the interior O-line again, but I’m going to put the Chargers in — 11-6 last year, with the lowest-rated offensive line. They got an upgrade at offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel, I think their weapons are good enough, they’ve added a rookie edge rusher with their first-round pick, Omario Hampton now healthy at running back — only team in the league top-five in third down and third down defense. Now they have the perfect coordinator for Justin Herbert.”

Cowherd’s thoughts: “It gets real close now. Philadelphia, Week 1, big favorites against Washington. No. 2-ranked O-line, and you know what I say about O-lines. Hard not to make the playoffs when you have  a top-5 or -6 O-line in the league. DeVonta Smith, is he a great No. 1 receiver with A.J. Brown gone? Well, they added Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown and Makai Lemon from USC (who had a spotty camp)… they’re good enough at wide receiver, great at running back, good at quarterback. Easy schedule, by NFC standards.”

A.J. Brown is gone, but Dontavion Wicks is in Philadelphia now. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Cowherd’s thoughts: “I think the Lions will battle for the Super Bowl. Easiest schedule in the league, they have a new offensive coordinator that’s viewed in-house as an upgrade, their skill positions — Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam Laporta and Jameson Williams are really, really electric playmakers. That matters in the long NFL season, you can’t have 13-play drives, week after week. You need some over the top home runs by Jahmyr Gibbs or Williams. Great teams get occasional easy touchdowns; not everything are perfect long drives.

Cowherd’s thoughts: “I like Buffalo more than most, largest favorites to win their division. Josh Allen is 28-8 against his division — it’s got a Tom Brady feel. They traded for D.J. Moore — because he’s not flashy and not terribly demonstrative, people don’t understand how good he is. Durable, professional, open — I love D.J. Moore, a real serious No. 1 receiver. We gotta be honest about this: their rush defense was bad. But the last two years, they’ve spent more draft picks on defensive capital than any other team. I think some of those start to pay off.”

Cowherd’s thoughts: “The Rams are the most talented team in football. I put them No. 2 because I worry about being hunted, week after week after week. I also think if you look at their schedule, when you’re a heavy favorite it’s hard to stay motivated. They’ve also got some age in a couple of spots. Will DaVante Adams stay healthy? Will Puka Nacua always be available? I love their tight ends, running back, coach and quarterback, but he’s what, 38 years old? I have them at No. 2.

Will age be a problem for Matthew Stafford and the Rams in 2026? (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Cowherd’s thoughts: “What I like about the Seahawks is all their best players are either all going into their athletic prime — Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Devon Witherspoon — or they’re in their prime. They have no egos. It’s not like the other Seahawks with Pete Carroll, where Marshawn Lynch was a star and Richard Sherman was a star and Russell Wilson was and Pete Carroll was. In his own division, Mike Macdonald is the third-most talked about head coach. Sam Darnold still has that perfect chip on his shoulder. JSN doesn’t get nearly the pub that he should. I think Seattle doesn’t have the brand stars, so they’re still sort of undervalued in the market.”

Was the 2026 NFL season just the beginning for Sam Darnold and the defending Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks?

“I’m big on Seattle,” “FOX NFL Kickoff” Analyst Julian Edelman stated on Tuesday’s edition of “The Herd.” “They’re returning 20 of 22 starters. I got to sit and talk with all these guys in a production meeting in the preseason. Sam Darnold was mad about his performance in the Super Bowl, and the week before that he had an unbelievable game performance to beat the Los Angeles Rams. He gets to go into the offseason almost like he lost the Super Bowl with his mindset after winning a Super Bowl. And then they get to hear all the hype on the Rams. I think this is a storm brewing to just wipe out a lot of teams. They’re really good.

“I was so impressed with [Seahawks head coach] Mike Macdonald’s calm, cool and collected demeanor but also his way where he’s big with the connections with the players, but he also has kind of that hard alpha trait to him because he is a defensive guy and his mentality with steering the ship. I’m so impressed with every single guy they have.”

The Seahawks open the 2026 regular season at home against the Patriots on Wednesday night in a rematch of Super Bowl LX.

Seattle is coming off a 14-3 season that saw it win the NFC West for the first time since 2020, with its 14 regular-season wins a franchise record and its Super Bowl triumph the second in franchise history (2013 was the first).

The Seahawks lost offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who became the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, replacing him with former San Francisco 49ers offensive assistant Brian Fleury. With Darnold in his first season under center for Seattle, Kubiak’s offense was third in the NFL in points (28.4 per game) and eighth in total yards (351.4 per game).

Meanwhile, Seattle’s defense, which returns defensive coordinator Aden Durde for a third season, was first in opponent points (17.2 per game) and sixth in total yards (285.6 per game).

As for the “hype” surrounding the Rams, quarterback Matthew Stafford is coming off a 2025 campaign that saw him win NFL MVP honors. On the transactional front, Los Angeles, most notably, acquired superstar defensive end Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns and cornerback and 2023 All-Pro Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs. And if that wasn’t enough, superstar defensive lineman Aaron Donald recently came out of retirement after two years away from the game to play for the Rams once again.

Seattle’s offseason has primarily been based on retaining its own. The Seahawks extended wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (four-year, $168.6 million deal) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (four-year, $132 million deal) on deals that make them the highest-paid players at their respective positions.

Seattle also extended defensive lineman Leonard Williams (three-year, $90 million deal), while re-signing wide receiver/returner Rashid Shaheed (three-year, $51 million deal) and cornerback Josh Jobe (three-year, $24 million deal), among other moves. In the draft, the Seahawks selected Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jadarian Price with the No. 32 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a pick that combats the departure of running back and Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III.

“They draft, develop and pay their guys,” Edelman said of the Seahawks. “They got a lot of great things going for them, and the biggest thing is that no one’s even talking about them. It’s the quietest Super Bowl champion team I’ve ever heard of. It’s unreal, and it’s going to play into their favor.”

Week 1 of the college football season is in the books, and what a week it was.

From thrilling and controversial finishes to stunning upsets and incredible individual performances, the opening week delivered plenty of memorable moments.

A pair of Miami superstars delivered record-breaking performances while Jayden Maiava and Jeremiah Smith put their names right into the Heisman conversation. 

With that, let’s dive into the top offensive performances from Week 1 of the CFB season.

Darian Mensah threw for 401 yards and five touchdowns against Stanford (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images).

In his first start with the Hurricanes, Darian Mensah balled out. He finished Friday night’s win over Stanford with 401 passing yards and five touchdowns, becoming just the sixth quarterback since 2000 to complete at least 90% of his passes while throwing for 400-plus yards and five touchdowns in a game. After his dominant Week 1 performance, Mensah is now the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy at +600. No player’s stock went up more than Mensah in Week 1. 

Mason Heintschel threw seven touchdowns against Miami Ohio (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images).

In Week 1 against Miami Ohio, Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel completed 31 of 41 passes for 453 yards and seven touchdowns. Yes, seven. Heintschel became just the 26th player in college football since 2000 to throw for at least 450 yards and seven touchdowns in a game, leading Pitt to a dominant 59-14 win and a dream start to the 2026 season. Heintschel introduced himself to the college football world on Saturday and immediately put his name on the map.

In Week 1 against Fresno State, Jayden Maiava completed 23 of 25 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns, leading USC to a dominant 39-0 win. His 92% completion rate was the highest in USC history in a game with at least 25 pass attempts and the second-highest overall with at least 20 attempts, trailing only Matt Barkley’s 95% mark in 2012. Maiava’s performance also tied for the 10th-highest completion percentage in an FBS game with at least 25 attempts and 300 passing yards since 2000. The Trojans’ quarterback has put himself right into the Heisman race as his odds sit at +1750 to win the award. 

Against Northern Illinois, Iowa running back Kamari Moulton rushed 11 times for 183 yards and two touchdowns, averaging a ridiculous 16.64 yards per carry. The senior set an Iowa single-game record for yards per carry with at least 10 attempts, shattering Fred Russell’s previous mark of 12.14 in 2002. Moulton’s 16.64 yards per carry also ranks fifth among Big Ten players since 2000 with at least 10 carries in a game. His 183 rushing yards are tied for the 10th-most by an FBS player on 11 or fewer carries since 2000.

Jaylin Carter rushed for 183 yards against Arkansas State (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images).

Jaylin Carter rushed 19 times for 183 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 9.63 yards per carry, while adding an 18-yard reception to finish with 201 total yards. Carter became just the fifth player in Tigers program history to rush for at least four touchdowns in a single game. Through the first two games of his sophomore season, Carter has already racked up 280 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 34 carries, averaging an impressive 8.24 yards per carry.

Nate Sheppard led the country in rushing yards in Week 1 (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images). 

Against Tulane, Duke running back Nate Sheppard rushed 35 times for 227 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.49 yards per carry. His 227 rushing yards were the most by any FBS player in Week 1 of the 2026 season. After earning second-team All-ACC honors and rushing for more than 1,000 yards last season, Sheppard looks poised for another big year in the Blue Devils’ backfield.

Malachi Toney set Miami’s single-game receiving yards record against Stanford (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images).

On Friday night, Malachi Toney hauled in 12 catches for 234 yards and three touchdowns against Stanford, setting Miami’s single-game receiving yards record. The historic performance continued Toney’s incredible start to his college career after he led the FBS with 109 receptions as a true freshman last season and set Miami’s single-season receiving yards record with 1,211, surpassing Charleston Rambo’s previous mark of 1,172 in 2021. Toney hit the Heisman pose three teams as his odds to win the award surged after Week 1 from +4000 to +1250. 

Deuce Alexander had 159 yards and two touchdowns against Louisville (Photo by Roger Wimmer/Getty Images).

In Ole Miss’ 41-38 win over No. 24 Louisville, senior wide receiver Deuce Alexander hauled in five catches for a career-high 159 yards and two touchdowns. Alexander caught two 62-yard touchdown passes in the third quarter, providing a major spark to the Ole Miss offense in the second half. His 31.8 yards per reception are tied for the third-highest single-game average in Ole Miss history among players with at least five catches. After his explosive Week 1 performance, Alexander looks poised for a massive season as Trinidad Chambliss’ No. 1 target.

Jeremiah Smith caught eight passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns in Ohio State’s dominant win over Ball State, with all of his production coming in the first half. His 151 receiving yards were the second-most he’s recorded in a first half, trailing only the 161 he had against Oregon in the 2025 Rose Bowl. Smith now has 29 career receiving touchdowns, six more than any other college football player since 2024. He also recorded his 12th career 100-yard receiving game, passing Chris Olave for the second-most by an Ohio State player since 2000 and trailing only Marvin Harrison Jr. (15). Smith will have a real chance to break that mark in 2026 as he continues to show why he’s the best receiver in the country. Smith currently has the third-best odds to win the Heisman at +1000.

Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, celebrates winning a match against Alex Michelsen, of the United States, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

NEW YORK — Frances Tiafoe kept coming back until he had reached his third US Open semifinal, beating Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6) on Tuesday.

Tiafoe, who lost the first two sets and then trailed 3-0 in the fifth, finally ended the match in 4 hours, 38 minutes. He then jogged over to the other side of the net, where the 22-year-old Michelsen cried on his shoulder after a devastating end to his first career major quarterfinal.

Tiafoe said his performance to start the match was slow and flat.

READ: Arthur Fils tops Tiafoe to claim first ATP Masters title in Cincinnati

“It wasn’t good, let’s put it that way. It wasn’t good,” he said. “Three out of five is a blessing, because you have time to get it together. I definitely waited for the last minute.”

The No. 11-seeded Tiafoe, who reached the final four in 2022 and 2024, awaits the winner of the late match between defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and No. 8 Ben Shelton, who will try to guarantee the Americans have someone in the final Sunday as they seek their first men’s Grand Slam title since 2003.

Tiafoe planned to watch some of it.

“I’m going to enjoy this one, though. Let’s go!” he told the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Tiafoe lost to Alcaraz in 2022, when the Spaniard won his first of seven Grand Slam titles. Tiafoe lost to fellow American Taylor Fritz two years later, when the US came closest to ending its men’s drought that dates to Andy Roddick’s title in Flushing Meadows.

It certainly didn’t appear Tiafoe would be going back this time, after Michelsen continued his dominant run through his breakout tournament. He was the only man who hadn’t dropped a set, and he served to win the match with a 5-4 lead in the third. He got off to a nervous start with consecutive double faults, and Tiafoe eventually broke when Michelsen couldn’t put away a shot at the net.

READ: Frances Tiafoe smashes his racket in first-round loss at Tokyo Open

“I feel the first three sets I was on top of him. I feel like he didn’t really — he wasn’t playing like Frances. Then I kind of let him back in at 5-4,” Michelsen said. “Then after that, he was playing like Frances does on Ashe. After that, it was a dogfight.”

Tiafoe, who had made two previous comebacks after dropping the first two sets, was still in plenty of trouble. Michelsen broke early in the fifth en route to his 3-0 lead, with Tiafoe spiking his racket to the court in frustration at one point.

But he recovered again and eventually took control by winning three straight points in the match tiebreaker for a 7-4 lead, then hitting an ace at 135 mph after Michelsen got the next two.

Tiafoe joined Andre Agassi as the only American men to reach three US Open semifinals in this century and will return to the top 10 for the first time in three years in the next rankings.

Michelsen, ranked No. 46, fell to 0-6 in matches that go to a fifth set.