M Football 2011-A Football Night To Remember-M 35,ND 31

By Andy Andersen

At first it looked like AD David Brandon had set up the Wolverines to fail on the biggest possible stage, in prime time, under the newly installed lights.  Before over 114,840 energized spectators,  at home, and with ESPN’s game day on the premises.   It looked like the Coach Hoke “honeymoon” was about to end, and worse yet, the team was going to do something it had not done the two prior years.  Get dominated and lose to the Irish.

In the end, as you know, the first night football game at Michigan Stadium ended in such spectacular fashion that even the pre-game honoree, Desmond Howard could appreciate being honored before the game.  Desmond became the first player in Michigan history named a “Michigan Football Legend”.  His spectacular game winning, 4th down, 4th quarter lay out TD reception of an Elvis Grbac desperation pass against ND, happened twenty years ago.

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The missing quarter- playing what if…the Wolverines and the Broncos

For the first time in Michigan Stadium history a game was ended early due to weather.

For those not in attendance, this might be surprising. But for those of us at the game who saw the lighting and experienced the storm which persisted well into the evening we understand that the right call was made.

The decision was welcomed by the coaches, both to prevent injuries and as motivational fodder for their respective teams.

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M Football 2011-Broncos Busted In Storm Shortened Opener- M 34-Western Michigan 10

By Andy Andersen

Brady Hoke’s debut as the Head Football Coach of the Michigan Wolverines was twice interrupted by thunderstorms and heavy rains.  There were also some uncooperative Western Michigan Broncos when the game was on, at least  in the first half.

During the second lightening delay, the  threat of strong winds, hail, much lightening, and cloudbursts, extended the game delay until 7:30 PM.  Before that, the game was cancelled at 1:27 of the third quarter, at 7:10PM.  How about 137 degrees F on the field at the start of the game?

2011-01-umwmu-07

A football game had never been cancelled previously in Wolverine history.  It was unbearably hot on the field, and stands, for most of the game, until the rains came.  The score at the time of cancellation was 34 to 10, and became the final.  There is no question that cancelation was the appropriate thing to do, for team and fans.

The Broncos were a tough nut to crack in the first half.  They led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.  It seemed that maybe Michigan’s defense was as inept as last year’s defense.  In the end that did not prove to be true.

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