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Western Michigan wide receiver Jaylen Hall (11) catches a pass, giving the team a lead over Toledo in the closing seconds of an NCAA college football game in Kalamazoo, Mich., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020.
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Tracking win probability late in the Toledo-Western Michigan game

Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette

Tracking win probability late in the Toledo-Western Michigan game

What were the chances of that happening?

Western Michigan pulled off a miracle win over Toledo in Wednesday’s Mid-American Conference game in Kalamazoo, Mich. The Rockets led by 10 with just over two minutes to go, before the Broncos pulled off the comeback.

Social media was abuzz with comments about the probability of such a rally occurring.

ESPN.com for college football games calculates win probably — the likelihood of a team winning at any given point during a game. It takes into account factors such as score, time remaining, down and distance, and field position.

Here is a look at events late in Wednesday’s game along with the win probability at that point.

■ 3:25 remaining: Toledo faced a fourth-and-11 at Western Michigan’s 15-yard line. Rockets quarterback Eli Peters completed a pass to Bryant Koback in the left flat, and Koback was tackled out of bounds at the first-down marker. After a measurement, it was ruled a Toledo first down. Win probability: Toledo 98.9 percent.

■ 2:54 remaining: Koback scored on a 4-yard touchdown run, and Evan Davis’ extra point gave Toledo a 38-28 lead. Win probability: Toledo 99.7 percent.

■ 2:05 remaining: An incomplete pass gave Western Michigan a forth-and-5 at its own 35-yard line. Toledo took a timeout. Win probability: Toledo 99.9 percent.

■ 0:45 remaining: After converting the fourth down, Western Michigan drove for a touchdown. Broncos quarterback Kaleb Eleby rushed for a 1-yard score to cut Toledo’s lead to 38-34, but Western Michigan missed the extra point. Win probability: Toledo 97.8.

■ 0:44 remaining: Western Michigan recovered an onside kick at its won 49-yard line. The missed extra point meant the Broncos needed a touchdown. Win probability: Toledo 94.0 percent.

■ 0:31 remaining: On the second play of the drive, Eleby completed a 13-yard pass to Sean Tyler for a first down at Toledo’s 27-yard line. Win probability: Toledo 86.5 percent.

■ 0:20 remaining: Eleby connects with D’Wayne Eskridge for another first down at Toledo’s 9-yard line. Eskridge was tackled in bounds. Win probability: Western Michigan 50.1.

■ 0:17 remaining: The play those who watched will remember. Eleby faked a spike and lofted a pass to his left to an uncovered Jaylen Hall for a touchdown and the winning points. Western Michigan led 41-38. Win probability: Western Michigan 99.2 percent.

■ 0:00 remaining: Western Michigan intercepted Peters’ final pass attempt with no time left to complete the comeback. Win probability: Western Michigan 100.0 percent.

First Published November 12, 2020, 4:23 p.m.

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Western Michigan wide receiver Jaylen Hall (11) catches a pass, giving the team a lead over Toledo in the closing seconds of an NCAA college football game in Kalamazoo, Mich., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020.  (Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette)
Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette
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