This is my first blog post. Hope you like it! Please leave a comment below.
UNDER THE LIGHTS
Notre Dame at Michigan – September 10, 2011
I have been a Michigan fan my whole life. My first chance to go to the Big House was amazing – Michigan vs. Indiana in 1979 when Anthony Carter scored on the last play to win the game. I have seen lots of great games there, but nothing compares to the first night game in Michigan Stadium billed as “Under the Lights”.
Unranked Michigan was in game 2 of the Brady Hoke era against an unranked Notre Dame team.
I did NOT plan to go to the game. Believe me I wanted to, but I was working as a caddy on the LPGA tour. That week was the WalMart event in Rogers, Arkansas and I was going from there to Alabama the next week. The WalMart tournament is a 54-hole event so the cut was going to be on Saturday after 36 holes were complete. J3 (my pro) did not play very well on Friday (+3) and we were well outside the cut line. We had an early Saturday time and so late Friday night I looked at if it was possible to get to Detroit if J3 missed the cut. It WAS possible – hmmm. Saturday was a bit better, but J3 finished at +5 and we were done. After the round, I bought a ticket on my iPhone and headed for the airport.
There is a nonstop on Delta from NW Arkansas to Detroit. Flight #4880 was scheduled to leave at 3:50 pm and arrive in Detroit at 6:55 pm. Not a lot of time, but why not go? The airport was very quiet (the next day was the 10th anniversary of 9/11), and security was everywhere. We boarded early and the pilot noted that we were leaving 10 minutes early – music to my ears! We landed at 6:26 pm and taxied to the gate – crap Terminal B! I did my best OJ through the airport to the Metro Car line. Hopped in a car and told the driver “Michigan Stadium, please!” He said traffic will be awful and I responded that we can get there in 25 minutes because everyone has been there and tailgating for hours (I was right!). I got out of the car at 7:02 pm and had an eight or so minute run/walk to meet some old friends that tailgate in a “primo” lot right outside the stadium.
I opened a beer and started chatting when one my friends asked me where my seat was – oops forgot about getting a ticket! It only took about 10 minutes to find a ticket at face value from a guy with two teenagers whose wife decided at noon that she did not want to go (Thank you!). There was time for one more quick beer and into the Big House.
Before kickoff, Desmond Howard was recognized as a “Wolverine Legend”. The ceremony and video were awesome. The crowd was going crazy! Michigan also had a special 360° camera at field level during the National anthem. After the game, you could go on the web and find yourself in the crowd. Due to the flag bearers in the Michigan band, I could only see a part of me. I found my son (at the time a sophomore at UM) in the crowd as well as other friends. A real cool touch!
The game itself was NOT pretty – for either team. There were lots of turnovers and penalties. Midway through the third quarter, the attendance of 114,803 was announced – the biggest crowd EVER at the Big House. Michigan was down 24-7 and driving at the end of the quarter. The teams changed ends and Denard Robinson picked up a fumble and scored right in front of our section to make it 24-14. There was some hope! Michigan got the ball back and scored on a Robinson pass to Jeremy Gallon to make it 24-21. The Wolverines were driving again when Robinson’s pass was intercepted in the end zone. The defense stepped up and forced a three and out. Michigan drove the ball to the ND 21 and perfectly executed a throwback screen pass to Vincent Smith, who went untouched into the end zone! Michigan led 28-24 with 1:12 to go in the game! Did we leave too much time? Notre Dame drove 61 yards in 5 plays to stun the crowd, ND is up 31-28 with 30 seconds to go. On the second play after the kickoff, Robinson found Gallon ALL ALONE in front of the Michigan bench. Gallon went 64 yards crossing the field and basically out of gas stepping out of bounds at the ND 16-yard line. However, there was only 7 seconds left. Kick the field goal or run one play? Coach Hoke decided to run one play. Robinson lofted a pass to Roy Roundtree in the corner of the end zone. Roundtree caught the ball with a foot inbounds – TOUCHDOWN Michigan! After review, the play was confirmed, and Michigan led 34-31 with two seconds left. After a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, Michigan players stormed the field! We WON!
The crowd sang the Victors and other songs for at least 30 minutes. The band played and the crowd sang “Sweet Caroline”. No one wanted to leave! Well after midnight, I left the Big House and found my friends. We smiled, drank another beer and soaked in the moment. I could not find my son until around 1:30 in the morning. We just smiled and continued with the “Wow!” “Unbelievable!” Ann Arbor was ROCKING! Finally, at about 4 am I found a cab and headed back to Detroit Metro Airport. I slept on a couple of chairs until my flight back to Arkansas. Then, I had the long drive to Mobile, Alabama. Luckily, I spoke to many friends and family on the drive. Wonderful finish to an incredible couple of days!
A real, cool story for me and any Michigan fan!