Recorded at Fraser's Pub in Ann Arbor, an interview with Brian McDonald, a co-founder and co-owner of Rivalry Trophy - the maker of Big Ten replica trophies. In Part I we discussed the origins of the company, his research on the Paul Bunyan Trophy, how they solved the licensing question. In Part II we get into more of their trophies, and discuss the nature of B1G fandom in general:
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TWIMFbH: Let’s Finally Play (Most of) A Football Game. Fergodsakes. (2011)
Brady trots out of the tunnel for the first time (& leaves headset in locker room by mistake) To kickoff the sixth season of This Week in Michigan Football History we dip back to 2011, to the official start of the last glorious period of redemption for Michigan football. Yes, our friends from Kalamazoo visited the Big House for a bizarre and historic day, when an otherwise obscure figure in Wolverine history made history as did Mother Nature. Dig it: [display_podcast] Don’t forget to catch the whole KeyBank Countdown to Kickoff on WTKA starting 4 hours before each game, and of course live in the Bud Light Victors Lounge when they lace them up in Ann Arbor. For those so inclined, here’s a little more from my 2011 post on the history of games ending early: It’s certainly not the first Michigan football game to end before the planned allotted time. Most notably two of the most famous games in college football history ended early: The 1902 Rose Bowl (the first bowl game ever played) ended with plenty of time on the clock because Yost, Heston and crew were putting a colossal smack down on Stanford. From the Bentley: With eight minutes remaining in the game, Stanford captain Ralph Fisher approached the Wolverine bench and offered to concede; Michigan consented.…
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South State Street Freeze Out
A mildly concussed Shane Morris, after his final snap (and handoff) Brandon’s statement this morning basically hits all of the points I outlined here in my unpaid intern Crisis Management 101 lesson. It assesses what happened, admits faults, discusses plans to fix the problems and so on. But—why was Hoke hung out to dry and not told this was all happening? This isn’t just a “medical report”. If Hoke was told this was all happening, at the Monday presser could have talked about his responsibility and perspective on Saturday, but then he could have added, ‘..but we’re reviewing everything that happened to understand what mistakes (if any) were made’ and that the ‘details will be coming soon’, etc. etc. It looks like they didn’t tell him? What? From the statement: As of Sunday, Shane was diagnosed with a probable, mild concussion, and a high ankle sprain. That probable concussion diagnosis was not at all clear on the field on Saturday or in the examination that was conducted post-game. Unfortunately, there was inadequate communication between our physicians and medical staff and Coach Hoke was not provided the updated diagnosis before making a public statement on Monday. How is that possible? Again, I don’t think Hoke is lying. I’m not suggesting Hoke is absolved of any ownership here – far from it. …
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Views from the Abyss (BWW Bowl Game Photos)
I’m working on a couple hours sleep after the game and hopping the first flight out of dodge, but here are a few shots from that brutal game. A huge thanks once again to MVictors photog Kelley Kuehne for getting it done on Saturday night. As usual I encourage reuse and republication, I just ask you give credit and a link. If you are looking for a higher resolution copy (Mrs. Lewan), send me an email. when KSU stole our cloaking device :( I have no idea Lewan and his moms after the game, grabbing her baby boy above, Lewan giving her his helmet below. Here’s a montage. Follow MVictors on Twitter
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The Zero-Sum Game (Ohio State 42, Michigan 41)
As someone covering the history of this program I always love it when I see historic events unfold before us, and fortunately I get to see a lot of that following Michigan. Saturday was an all-timer and yes, I’m one of those people who can enjoy an epic game even if we come out on the wrong side. While many of you who watched the twists (and the result) of the 2000 Northwestern game no doubt hurled a remote or two during the game, I was in Evanston that day and while I was frustrated at times, in the end I was fine knowing I witnessed one for the ages. Damn I wish we had that two-point conversion back but I’m fine, even good. Most of all now I’m actually a little excited to see the bowl game and I’m not sure I could say that before kickoff. To the questions on the collective mind: > Should we have gone for 2? I liked the call, and I have trouble finding fans who disagree. I know you are out there, but it feels like most everyone liked the balls and more importantly, the call. If anything we should have gone for two earlier in the game as the nerds will tell you. > Like the play? I think most fans…
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The Chicago Hustle (Michigan 27, Northwestern 19)
For good reason, we spend so much energy talking about offense and defense, but you have to take a moment and acknowledge what happened with the special teams unit on Saturday. Offhand that was the most complete special teams performance I can recall and if not, definitely the most significant as it relates to the outcome of a game. In the slippery & windy conditions, to cleanly execute all those kicks (save the long FG), punts catches, and coverage during the game was exceptional. If Northwestern blew this game by not hanging onto the ball, the difference for Michigan was the play of special teams. The coaches have taken a beating since week 3 so give STC Ferrigno and Hoke major credit for the military-style discipline and execution by the special unit throughout the game…all the way to the wire: Hoke called that one of the best single football plays he could remember. While we’ve seen several ridiculous individual plays over years (and Hoke was there for the best–Woodson’s ‘97 pick at MSU), based on the number of variables that had to cleanly function and fall in place in those few frantic seconds it’s hard to argue with him. You’ve heard now that Michigan practices that every week, & Gardner joked postgame that he appreciated that they finally got to…
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Foggy, Blurry & Wet but…We Dance! (NW Postgame Photos)
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Crumbled Cookie – South Carolina 33, Michigan 28
Damn I wanted Denard, Treezy and crew to go out on a big note but it wasn’t to be. Michigan fans know this game can be brutal and there you have it. USC doesn’t convert on that fourth down late in the game, or even if we wrap up Shaw and bring him down on a couple late scrambles, and it’s surely over. I thought the defense was just inches away for sealing this game against a team we probably shouldn’t have beaten. Give Gardner credit for generally remaining cool and getting the team down the field for the go ahead score. Lewan overall did a fine job on Clowney. This game will be remembered for Clowney’s bomb blast, the back-and-forth nearly four hour battle and it being Denard’s finale. It was fun to be down there in the fourth quarter to watch it play out but it was just heartbreaking watching the team creep off the field and sulk during the postgame. For a team with no running back and a depleted secondary they still had the chance to do some great things this year but really didn’t. The highlight of the season has to be squeaking by a very mediocre Michigan State team and there’s no way 8-5 can be considered anything but a disappointment despite facing 4…
