A Night Game In The Big House Comment Count

Tim

michigan_stadium_big_house_2_small.jpg

Now pretend it's a lot darker

It's been rumored over the past couple days that the Michigan v. Notre Dame game in Ann Arbor on September 10, 2011 would take place under lights in the Big House, but the real serious smoke came this afternoon from the official Athletic Department twitter account:

HUGE Michigan football scheduling announcement today at 2:30pm. Check MGoBlue.com for details later this afternoon.

So, now we know: there will be a night game in The Big House within the next two years. Here's how Michigan has fared in night games, including those against the Irish:

  • Michigan is 22-11 all-time in night games. They are 19-5 in away night games, 3-6 in neutral site night games. This will be the first home night game in Michigan history.
  • The Wolverines are 0-3 in night games against Notre Dame. They lost 17-23 in 1982, 17-19 in 1988, and 24-28 in 1990. All three games took place in South Bend.
  • The first Michigan night game took part in was a 14-0 victory over MArquette on September 23, 1944.

Notes from the announcement press conference:

Coach Rich Rodriguez

Prepared Statement: "Our players have always enjoyed playing night games, and I think it's something that our fans will truly enjoy and embrace. I expect the atmosphere will be electric for this match-up at the Big House."

Night games provide great exposure for the players and the program. Players really like night games. Playing in front of a lot of people both in person and on television is exciting. National TV is great for the University, since games are like a 3.5-hour commercial for the school.

AD David Brandon

Prepared Statement: "This will be an unprecedented game day atmosphere that ours fans have not experienced at Michigan Stadium. It's a great opportunity to showcase out program, University, and Ann Arbor to a primetime viewing audience. This also adds a new chapter to the storied rivalry between our two great programs."

Brandon has been working on logistics for a couple weeks. We know how to string lights, work traffic, etc. The operations team has over a year to prepare to do this at night.Brandon didn't have to touch base with the city.

Michigan is familiar with the concept of playing under the lights (for 3:30 starts, and they've seen how other schools have handled night games. If this goes well, there will probably be one night game per year at Michigan Stadium.

Night games are part of what create a big exciting atmosphere in college football. Of the night game, Bo would say "That Brandon guy believes that change is good and I'm gonna support him."

Comments

wiscwood

March 19th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^

You must not have been at the 3:30 October 2004 3 OT game when Michigan beat State 45 to 38. It was cold, windy but it was a blast. The lights were on, there was a brisk chill in the air. Michigan won of course.

I think night games will be scheduled in the early part of the season when it is warmer. AD Brandon will be very aware of all of issues regarding the fans and their comfort. It will be great.

Augger

March 18th, 2010 at 4:33 PM ^

a game time that doesn't involve me getting heatstroke while pressed in amongst 106,000 of my closest friends...yay for night games early in the season!

Aug

Six Zero

March 18th, 2010 at 4:43 PM ^

If the stars align, this could become a true coming out party for our Return to Glory. Remember Penn State's white-out game against Nebraska a few years ago?

brown

March 18th, 2010 at 5:41 PM ^

"Why didn't this happen before? I don't talk the past, I create the future."

Brandon is sort of a pimp at AD. I like this move. It's great for recruiting and exposure.

Wolverine90

March 18th, 2010 at 5:59 PM ^

It shall be the grand night all stars align:

1. First night game.
2. First time RR will have a complete team (no noticeable holes at any position).
3. Completed stadium renovations (second year but close enough).
4. First time RR starts a season after a winning record, with great momentum after another star-studded recruiting class.
4. UM crushes the Irish by 20.
5. Insane noise level with inverted box seat walls.
6. All the players will look like my avatar - badasses in the darkness.
6. To celebrate, I get hammered at Dominick's reprising college days of old.

What a night it shall be.

Don

March 18th, 2010 at 8:00 PM ^

If we beat ND in the night game, everybody and their brother will be blabbering about how awesome night games are and we should do it every week.

If we lose to ND in the night game, everybody and their brother will be dismissing night games as no big deal and let's get back to playing day games, thank you.

markusr2007

March 18th, 2010 at 8:34 PM ^

Michigan lost the 1982 game at Notre Dame 17-23 and I distinctly remember that game being played not only at night, but being televised by ABC in prime time. Maybe this is "unprecedented" for games in Michigan Stadium.

I'm in favor of night games in terms of providing a more hostile environment for opponents. 110,000 fans shouting down at you in the middle of the night simply has to favor Michigan to some extent.

Maize out is cool, but I think a dark, foreboding sea of Michigan navy blue would be even better.

Zoltanrules

March 18th, 2010 at 8:54 PM ^

The only down side I see to this is the parking and ride home. Half the cars park in dimly lit, cramped, residential neighborhoods. That coupled with people having a few more adult beverages could make for some trouble. That said, let's try it!

joeyblueskies.com

March 19th, 2010 at 1:58 PM ^

Pretty ballsy of Rich Rod to comment on this like he is gonna be around in 2011. I mean I hope he is cause these high profile night games are the exact type of environment that he thrived in at West Virginia. And if Michigan got rolling again it could make the Big House a tough place to play in once again.

Joeyblueskies

funkywolve

March 19th, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^

I live in the mountain time zone so instead of having my saturday chopped in half with a 10am or 1:30pm start, I can spend the day with the kids and getting sh*t done around the house. Come late afternoon/early evening fire up the grill, commence drinking, eat and then sit down and watch UM!!!

wiscwood

March 19th, 2010 at 8:39 PM ^

The only thing I hate about night games is that it is dark. No, I'm just kidding. What I don't like about night games is that I have wait all day for the game. I will watch Michigan any time they play. I just hate waiting on Saturdays.

mgovictors23

March 20th, 2010 at 9:17 AM ^

This is awesome news, I've always wanted to watch a night game at the Big House. Seeing them run out of the tunnel and jump to hit the banner at night will be amazing. I have to get tickets for that game.