I was poking around the U-M Bentley Library tonight doing some research for the final segment of This Week in Michigan Football History for Saturday’s pregame show. I went over to page #1 of Wolverine lore: 1879 & the first game ever played against Racine College in Chicago at White Stockings Park. (No, the teams didn’t switch sides when they crossed midfield, hahar). The Bentley page for the 1879 team now includes a recap of the Racine game from the Michigan Chronicle, the student newspaper of the day. So check this out. Near the start of the first game ever played, before a point was officially tallied or a single line of history written, maize and blue backers had a major gripe with the referee over a call: I love that the writer took the high road on the disputed kick during the game but insisted “a kick was made” in the recap piece, and added the parting shot, “he is as liable to be mistaken as anyone else.” It’s in your blood, Michigan fan—getting screwed for 131 years.
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Big Chill Preparations (Video)
Nice little feature on getting the Big House ready for the Big Chill:
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Meram Gets a Ride – Michigan 2, UCF 1 OT
A fantastic win for Michigan soccer in the second round of the NCAA tournament, taking down University of Central Florida this afternoon 2-1 in overtime. Despite dominating the pace of play, Steve Burns’ crew were down 1-0 early. Early through the second half Justin Meram tied it up and the Wolverines finished it off in overtime. Notes: The place was absolutely packed – standing room only. Dave Brandon attended. I love it – among the prohibited items: vuvuzelas. I watched the game with a former M soccer team captain. He pointed out right away that just about everyone on the UCF team was wearing gloves to keep them snuggly warm. It wasn’t really that cold out. Advantage: mighty Blue. The student section was outstanding, chanting and singing throughout the game and giving Justin Meram a ride after the game winner (above). I’m not sure who got credited with the golden goal. Up next is South Carolina in the Sweet 16. Congrats to Burns and the boys! A couple other shots for you: Update: For all the folks begging for Meram to kick for Rich Rod, jeezz (HT: Matt for sending this over):
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Rob Lytle, 56, Passes Away
Very sad to hear that Michigan legend Rob Lytle died Saturday. He was 56. Coincidentally on my ‘This Week..’ segment yesterday for the WKTA 1050AM pregame show we featured the 1976 Ohio State game in which Lytle ran absolutely wild. Here’s that segment and here are WolverineHistorian’s clips from the game. It’s amazing to watch him tear out of the backfield and through the line:
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Interview: Men’s Soccer Coach Steve Burns
I caught up with Michigan head Soccer coach Steve Burns on the field prior to the Wisconsin game in anticipation of the huge NCAA battle against Central Florida on Sunday. Dig it: MVictors: You’ve got Central Florida tomorrow and you went down and scouted them this week. What opportunities do you see and what worries you? Burns: They are a talented team. It was good to see them because they are a lot better than I thought they were going to be. Their strength is in their midfield–they run a 4-5-1. I think the biggest thing is that they’re a team that’s not going to beat themselves, meaning they’ve got discipline and they play within themselves. We’ve got to go out and beat them. It’s going to be a good game. MVictors: I understand that tickets are scarce (for Sunday). What kind of crowd do you expect tomorrow? Burns: It could be upwards of 4,000. The chairback seats sold out in about two hours and I’ve had a lot of requests for tickets. I went out and bought 50 tickets and..I’m out, I’m out! [laughs]. MVictors: What’s going to happen tomorrow? Burns: Well I’m hoping that it’s not like this [gesturing to the sunny sky]. I’m hoping that it’s gray, rainy and bitter. I don’t think it’s going to be…
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Not Fun
Wisconsin 48, Michigan 28. That’s former Michigan center Stevie Everitt on the sideline near the end of the game—not pleased, not really looking too patient either. That’s me too.
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Wisconsin (Pregame Photos)
A few from pregame down on the field. The crew from Slippery Rock – they got a huge welcome from the crowd: I don’t have any audio but trust me, it sounded like exactly like this: “Wooooooooooo!” Ladies Field Hockey champions, the “Woo” girls The other champs—here’s Men’s soccer team captain Alex Wood with their new hardware: Troy Woolfolk looking well; walking around Ball! Ball! Ball! This is your AD Dave Brandon, chatting with a few students about the new lights and the test he did this week. Always a great performance by the drum major – here with the leap.
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Senior Day Photos
A few from Senior Day before the game. Obi: Moundros looked like he teared up a bit: James Rogers: Webb: