A few more photos, this time starting from the kick-off (a view from atop on the photo deck), from on the sidelines near the end of the game, at the press conference and finally, back at the stadium after the fans have left: And don’t miss the post-game video of the celebration below the student section, with the team signing The Victors.  Click here. Related: All in Access: Western Michigan Pre-Game (Photos, Video) The Michigan Difference WMU Honorary Captains

A few photos from the field and the press prior to the Western game.  A good idea of what it’s like to shoot down to the Go Blue banner.

Almost as awesome as sweatshirts with the sleeves cut off: Much more tomorrow, but couldn’t sign-off without sharing this: Related: All in Access: Western Michigan Pre-Game (Photos, Video) The Michigan Difference WMU Honorary Captains Follow MVictors on Twitter.

The honorary alumni captains for today’s 3:30 game against Western Michigan.  Announced last night: OL Joe O’Donnell (’61-3) LB Erick Anderson (’88-’91) WR Mercury Hayes (’92-’95) I’m fully credentialed for the game so I’ll be watching from the press box.  I’m going to try to get a few words with each of these guys before the game. Go Blue!  (Michigan wins a tight one, 31-27).

Mayes after ‘97 Ohio State game – Photo: Michigan Daily Former walk-on who became team captain of the 1997 National Champions Eric Mayes joined WTKA yesterday, worth a listen: [display_podcast] He talked about his first experience hitting the field, and his first time coming out of the tunnel (“There’s nothing like coming out of there.”) Ben Holden asked about his concerns for the defense, he said “chemistry”.  “Having fun, believing in the assignments they are given” along with having faith in the guys on either side of them. “You don’t have to have the best players to win championship; you have to have the best team.” On Brandon Graham: “There’s a special title at Michigan and it’s called ‘senior.’” He talked about staying in touch with teammates especially the 1997 team and the importance of that team’s role and how he looks forward to meeting future national championship teams.

[Editor’s note: Prior to the epic 2008 Wisconsin football game, frequent contributor ‘Lew’ served up his mouth-watering ‘Victors’ ribs during the pre-game tailgate festivities. They were incredible and probably had something to do with the finest win in RR’s tenure.  A re-post for karma:] Meat: I prefer baby backs (and that’s what this recipe assumes). I understand spare ribs are a bit easier to cook, but they have a bit too much fat and gristle for my liking. Rub: 4 tablespoons sweet paprika 2 tablespoons brown sugar (ok to be generous) 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 tablespoon New Mexico chili powder 1 tablespoon oregano 1 tablespoon Kosher salt 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper 2 teaspoons mustard seed 1 teaspoon celery seed 1 teaspoon garlic powder I used this quantity for 4 slabs, which was stretching it a tad. Next time, I might go a bit lighter on the paprika and I’m up in the air about the chili powder – it adds a nice bit of earthy flavor, but I might go for more heat (cumin and/or cayenne) or more sweet (brown sugar). It’s all personal taste, of course. The key is to get the rub on the ribs at least an hour before you’re ready to put them on the grill – the more time the rub has…

Via Dave Birkett of AnnArbor.com, quoting Rodriguez from his radio show this evening, who first said, “It was so close”, but: "I met with them after practice today … and said, ‘I’ve never been in this situation before, but I feel fortunate and all three of you have done various things to earn the right to go out there first, so I don’t want you to think you’re not a starting quarterback,’" Rodriguez said. "But somebody has to take the first play and so I told them that Tate will take the first play, but the second play may be Denard or Nick or whoever. Those guys are so competitive, but they’re such team guys I feel very, very good about it." or whoever?  He’s got a name, it’s DC, Coner, or Mr. Dave.  More interesting than RR’s reveal on the quarterback is my finding an entire album that quarterback David Cone and Barwis-basher Toney Clemons put together, here’s the playlist). More shocking than my discovery is that it’s pretty good.