A few random notes, pics and takes in the aftermath of a solid trip to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl. A few quick hitters: >> Hospitality. File under you probably don’t care, but I’ll say it. The media was treated first class by the Sugar Bowl folks. Beyond being ridiculously courteous, they provided excellent communication, was quick with the transcription of the press conferences, offered good food/coffee/drinks, workspace, logistics, etc. They offered a couple of nice gifts as well—a Sugar Bowl jacket and luggage tags. It was very cool to be a part of it all. They also arranged for a 30 foot Po Boy (above). >> Dome View. The press box in the Dome is all the way at the top, here’s a fairly accurate look at the view from up top: They did have video monitors rolling everywhere, along with a screen of live stat updates. The ESPN feed appeared to be about 6-7 seconds behind the live-action. >> Fans. I was surprised by the number of Virginia Tech fans that showed up for the game. I thought Wolverine fans would overwhelm the joint but that didn’t happen. There was still more Maize and Blue out there but to me, it was only a slight majority. One thing I noticed wandering around town—Michigan definitely had more students just…
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Molk Postgame in the Big Easy Chair
Above that’s center David Molk, who was chilling out in the aftermath of the big win. He clearly didn’t want to take that Michigan jersey off for the final time quite yet. Molk: “I was fine before we got here. As pregame went through, one thing led to another and something happened.” On whether it was his call not to go versus the coaches/trainers: Molk: “I was waiting for feeling. Once I got that…it’s humanly impossibly for me to sit and watch football when I’m dressed up. So I figured it out, taped it up…and went at it.” Chris Balas asked if he was “fighting for his life” on the field: Molk: “I don’t know if I was fighting for my life. I still had one leg. Come on, I squat a ton [laughs] so one leg’s good enough.” On the idea of getting a championship ring: Molk: “We actually talked about. We weren’t even positive we’d get a ring after this game. It used to always be a Big Ten championship or nothing. You know, we didn’t win a Big Ten championship but at the same time, it’s a BCS bowl game. Something to remember you’d want to show to your grandkids and your grandkids’ grandkids. It’d be something to carry on.” Brandy drops in: Jim Brandstatter stopped by…
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Sugar Bowl 2012 | Michigan Postgame Photos– It’s Great, To Be, A Michigan Wolverine!
Great stuff. First off the MVP: Junior Megatron Hemingway after stepping from the podium Hoke waiting for the replay decision on the Virginia Tech overtime touchdown Mobbing Gibbons after the kick Koger and Odoms on stage Devin Gardner and Denard Robinson delivering their complex array of 5s Maize meets Blue confetti. Maroon and Orange confetti lining bird cages tomorrow. Molk looks at the Michigan fans while being fitted for his Pour some Sugar T-shirt RVB checks the fans Hoke preps for ESPN postgame. They made him switch sides of the desk for whatever reason. Mattison postgame Warrior Molk is about to take off the Michigan jersey for the last time – but not quite yet. Asked why he jumped into the game after the first series despite the pain, said he was “just doing what a Michigan Man is supposed to do.”
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Greg Mattison–Sugar Bowl Press Conference
Via Sugar Bowl media relations: (File photo) THE MODERATOR: We’re joined by Michigan Defensive Coordinator Greg Mattison. Opening comments? COACH MATTISON: First of all, I can tell you on behalf of the Michigan football program we’re really honored and proud to be here. This is a tremendous Bowl. And I know you couldn’t tell by looking at me but I have been in a lot of Bowl games, and the Sugar Bowl is one that I haven’t been in, and it’s really a great Bowl. The people down here have been tremendous, and I know our players would echo that. You can tell by how they’ve acted and how they responded, and they really have enjoyed themselves down here. THE MODERATOR: Questions? Q. Asking about the novelty of facing an ACC team. These conferences don’t tend to get together during the regular season. You guys like the fact that it is a novelty game going against the Hokies? COACH MATTISON: I don’t know if I would look at it as the Big Ten versus the ACC. I think it’s more Michigan having the opportunity to play a team like Virginia Tech. You know, Virginia Tech has a great tradition. They have had tremendous success. And you can see why they have been so good. And it’s going to be a…
