OT: What's the best Non-Michigan game you have ever been to???
September 28th, 2010 at 4:41 PM ^
I went to that Notre Dame @ Michigan State game in the rain that featured the big Brady Quinn-Szjmklrtygmardzia (Cubs pitcher) comeback. I believe that was 2006. I hate seeing ND come back and win anything, but I love seeing Sparty crushed. I got my ticket free, for those that might want to question me.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:48 PM ^
then you must've heard Valenti when he WAS BUSY FIRING UP HIS SECTION!
September 28th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^
I was at the same game, and had the same basic experience.
I had been at the Wisconsin game earlier, so I had all of my Michigan gear on. On the way out of the stadium, all of the ND fans that saw me looked just slightly glum (the week previous was the week Lamarr Woodley crushed the hopes and dreams of ND Nation in South Bend).
Also great about the game: we were under the overhang, so we were bone dry the whole game.
What a spectacle...
September 28th, 2010 at 5:11 PM ^
Hahah you got to observe Drew Stanton running the option in Hurricane Katrina??
Can we come up with a scenario for our game vs. Michigan State that will lead to an even more epic Mikey V rant? I feel left out, Notre Dame brought one on and we haven't
September 28th, 2010 at 4:42 PM ^
I went to the BGSU / OSU game at Cleveland Browns Stadium back in 2006, I think that's when it was. I got free tickets to the game so I went and cheered on the Falcons to no avail obviously.
Other than that, I haven't gone to any non-UM college football games.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:43 PM ^
I have never been to a non-Michigan game, it would be like trying to get a buzz off non-alcoholic beer.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^
I went to the 2006 Illinois-MSU game in East Lansing. Illinois (who at the time hadn't won a Big Ten game -- let alone one on the road -- in God knows how long) pulled off the upset that basically put the last nail in John L's coffin. I was laughing my freaking ass off most of that game.
Had I known the Illini would be kicking the crap out of us in back-to-back years in the not-too-distant future, I might have had a different attitude that day.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:03 PM ^
I remember watching the end of that game on TV. After it was over, a brawl started between the two teams when Illinois players planted their school flag on the 50 yard line at Spartan Stadium.
I was laughing over how hypocritical the MSU players looked getting all angry and fighting since they were the ones who planted their flag at Notre Dame Stadium the year before.
Classic Sparty. They can dish it out but they can't take it.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:48 PM ^
NC State and South Carolina last years season opener...huge DUD. A large number of Cock fans showed up and EVERYONE was bored...almost no cheering for either team the entire game.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^
Easily the worst game ever. Went with all of my buddies that were students at Western, sad part was that I had to pay $10 for my ticket while they got to go for free since they were students. Awful....just awful!
September 28th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^
Never been to a non-Michigan college football game...
If we expand it to hockey, though, Holy Cross-Minnesota, NCAA West Regional, '06. Hands-down probably the most exciting sporting event I've ever seen. Period.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnRfpcc3LZA
(Edited to add video with the HC student broadcast audio)
September 28th, 2010 at 6:18 PM ^
Knew it would show up soon. My most exciting non-Michigan game is easy. March 26, 1997 at Joe Louis. Fight Night At The Joe. Mike Vernon fighting Patrick Roy. Brendan Shanahan and Adam Foote twice. And the main event: Darren McCarty wiping the ice with Claude Lemieux. Simply the loudest crowd I've ever heard.
September 28th, 2010 at 10:08 PM ^
I was at this game as well. I remember everything that you mentioned. I also remember Shanny clotheslining Roy as Roy skated out towards the melee near center ice. I went away from that thinking that with all of the bad blood between the two teams it took Igor Larionov and Peter Forsberg to get things rolling. To me, this is the night that the Wings won the Stanley Cup. Sure there were many more games to be played but that team really came together that night.
I also remember commenting to my buddy that it was great that McCarty beat the crap out of Lemieux and then scored the game winner in overtime. I was even thinking that he was lucky to be in the game at the time because he very possibly could have been kicked out earlier because his fight with LePuke was not the original fight and the NHL has a rule stating that players involved in secondary fights should be ejected from the game.
Oh what a night! Definitely worth the $100 dollars that I paid for the tickets. That was a lot of money for me in those days - I was right in the middle of my starving student days.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:55 PM ^
Miami vs Pitt in 2003. I was attending with some friends who went to Pitt. in the second quarter of the game I noticed the Pitt kids were basically sitting on their hands and made Mich's alumni section look lively ny contrast. I drunkenly rose up to my feet, turned to berate the students and lead them in the school's fight song. Only I had no clue what Pitt's fight song was so I led them in a rousing chorus of "Hail to the Victors". Miami meanwhile was driving for a score.
Then as the game went on I noticed Pitt looked like crap but Miami actually looked decent so i secretly began rooting for Miami. I still kept leading cheers though because all the Pitt students were moaning about how it was cold (in the 30s).
I managed to achieve minor celebrity status due to my attempts to rally the crowd and was later approached by some girls at a party who remember me from my rabble rousing attempts. Oh and was wearing Michigan colors throughout all this. I'm told I'm actually on TV in one of the crowd shots, but the only way you can tell it is me is because of the Michigan hoodie.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^
I was at this game as well!
September 28th, 2010 at 5:16 PM ^
The final score of 28-14 really does not do justice to how bad Pitt was during that game!
September 28th, 2010 at 9:18 PM ^
Any time you can get Pitt fans to sing Hail to the Victors, that is impressive.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:53 PM ^
I went to the Notre Dame/UCLA game in 2006 and it was a great atmosphere and the game was really good actually with Notre Dame pulling it out on the final drive. Stadium went crazy thinking they were actually relevant again.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^
I went to a NY Rangers hockey game in 2006 against Ovechkin and the Caps. The game went into a 15 round shootout that was ended by Marek Malik doing this:
September 28th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^
I was at the CMU vs. MSU game last year, I laughed so hard when Central recovered the onside kick and marched down the field to score. I've never seen so much heartbreak on a Spartans face.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^
Me as well. One of the greatest moments of my life. The 48 year old father of 3 who had been trying to pump up the section all game finally sat down. Priceless
September 29th, 2010 at 11:54 AM ^
of much heartbreak on their faces. Most of them coming from us.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^
I was in Auburn for the 2007 USF vs. Auburn game. Was glad to see USF pull the upset (my Alma Mater). Great game atmosphere until the drunk Auburn fan chucked a table at my wife and I from the third floor of an apartment building as we walked back to our car. Great game that went into overtime.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:03 PM ^
Game 5 of Wings vs. Ducks in the 09 playoffs. We completely crushed them 4-1.The mule had a freaking awesome goal at the beginning of the 2nd period from an assist by Abdelkader.
I also went to LSU at S. Carolina 2003. It was Holtz's 2nd to last season as HC. LSU was coached by Saban and they won the BCS title later on. Carolina got crushed 7-33, which sucked. Best part was watching the LSU mascot do a face plant in front of the Carolina student section as it ran out of the tunnel with the LSU team. I bet my now wife that the mascot would do a face plant before it ran out, and lo and behold I was completely proven right.
I also went to a Pistons vs. T Wolves game the week of Superbowl XL. Game was meh, but almost the entire Steelers team was at the game. I wondered down to the lower bowl at the end of the game and saw McNabb too.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:55 PM ^
Texas/OU the year Texas won the NC. OU had won the last 3 or 4.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:57 PM ^
VaTech came to WMU once. They were ranked like #5 at the time so that was pretty cool. They eventually choked against some shit ACC team and ended up fucking up their whole season (I know right? That never happens), but it was fun when they were there. I don't remember much of it to tell the truth. I was time traveling in BO-town.
September 28th, 2010 at 8:59 PM ^
I was at this game too.
What i actually remember most about that day was after we left the game we watched Iowa/PSU in the game where JoePa ran off the field like he was shitting his pants. That and those stupid inflatable "bats" that you smack together...thank god you don't see those stupid things much anymore.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:59 PM ^
Wasnt a good game or anything, but I went to Barry Sanders last game of his career at Baltimore. He was my idol and it was cool to see his last game even though he didnt put up any good numbers.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:59 PM ^
Any sport? When I was very young (like 6 or 7), my Dad took me to a playoff game between the Pistons and Bulls during the height of the Jordan Rules. Detroit won, and even at that age I realized just how good Jordan was and how my Pistons had a way to combat that. Just a great atmosphere and a fun rivalry, back when basketball games were not video games with little bits of action mixed in.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:00 PM ^
Why?
(no ones going to watch them are they?)
September 28th, 2010 at 5:01 PM ^
Such a painful ending
September 28th, 2010 at 5:02 PM ^
2008 AFC Championship game. I think it was 2008. It was awesome, the crowd was great, game was great. I'm not a big NFL guy but it was a great time.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:04 PM ^
ND/MSU 2010.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:04 PM ^
Toss up.
Saw a Phillip Rivers led NC State team take Ohio St into triple OT before losing and watched Chad Pennington drive down the field to beat Clemson in Death Valley on Tommy Bowden's first game as head coach
September 28th, 2010 at 5:05 PM ^
every lions game ever.
forward down the field...
September 28th, 2010 at 5:44 PM ^
Michigan State vs Western Michigan in 2003. Too bad Western couldn't pull it out. Only went because a friend had a free ticket.
For non college football I would have to say Pistons vs Nets game 7 Eastern Conference Semi's Pistons blew em out of the palace. I think Ben Wallace had 20 points (or maybe it was rebounds but I swear it was points)
September 28th, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^
... saw the Red Wings clinch the Stanley Cup against the Flyers in '97 and the 'Canes in '02.
The first was the best, for this reason (dental work Photoshopped):
September 28th, 2010 at 6:19 PM ^
My best live sporting event memory ever.
Second place would be the 1999 Harvard-Yale game, in which Yale scored on a last-minute touchdown in which Eric Johnson somehow managed to catch a ball that appeared to have skimmed the top of the blades of grass in the end zone, giving Yale the Ivy League championship. (Eric Johnson went on to catch 240 passes for 2,178 yards in the NFL, and is the current boyfriend of Jessica Simpson [!!!])
September 28th, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^
In the early 90's when I was going to Central we beat them 20-3 (pretty sure that was the final score) and came back to Sparty town the next year and beat their ass again. This point in my life was when I discovered the dickfaceness of the Sparty tard fans.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:09 PM ^
Caught a Notre Dame/Tennessee game at night in Knoxville my sophomore year of college. Had no rooting interest but Casey Clausen separated his shoulder on a QB kneel. The night before I was at a party at a UT Lacrosse house and I met some guy on the porch wearing a Germaine Crowell jersey. I gave him shit. He said he was from Detroit. We started chatting. He mentioned he went to Bishop Borgess. I asked him if he knew Braylon Edwards. Then he showed me his Big Ten championship ring. It was Darnell Hood. I looked over and saw his buddy with his arm in a sling. He looked familiar. The duo then left with a bunch of honies in a Lincoln Town Car. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. The guy with his arm in the sling was Matt Guitterez. It was Michigan's bye week.
A week later I attended an MSU/Wisconsin game where MSU beat No.5 Wisconsin to help Michigan go to the Rose Bowl (eventually). This was two weeks after the 2004 Braylonfest in Ann Arbor.
So in three weeks I was able to see five different ranked teams play in three different stadiums in two states. It was pretty cool.
I also went to the BC AT CMU game a few years back. LeFevour's first game. He almost pulled off the comeback. Would have been nice.
September 29th, 2010 at 12:08 AM ^
Bishop Borgess or Gallagher, it's all the same. Good story though. no /s.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:11 PM ^
Ohio U beating Pitt in 2005. Was one of the first non-football people on the field, ran right past a clearly devastated Tyler Palko (guy played for like 10 years). Peden was jammed pack that night. It was awesome.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^
2008 LSU at Florida for a night game in the Swamp. I believe LSU was a top 10 team that year and Florida won 51-21. I must say, it was an electric atmosphere.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:14 PM ^
Great rivalry and almost always competitive back in the day (90s). My friend's Dad was an A&M alumni and significant donor so the tickets were sweet.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:38 PM ^
Texas and Texas A&M have never played each other in the Cotton Bowl (neither at the bowl itself nor at the stadium).
September 29th, 2010 at 8:14 AM ^
My bad, it was at Kyle Field. It was 15 years ago so don't be too hard on me.
Bluetex
September 28th, 2010 at 5:17 PM ^
The first Rose Bowl I ever went to was Ohio State vs. USC. Keith Bryers (sp?) for tOSU vs. Rodney Pete at SoCal. I was about 10 years old and was in San Diego for New Years, I was able to convince my uncle (an SC grad) to go up and scalp tickets. This was my first experience with the USC Song Girls, it was, "Very Niiiice"
I was also at a Duke vs. UNC hoops game at Chappel Hill. That was an awesome event.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:20 PM ^
BGSU @ MIZZOU 2001:
We pulled off the big time upset in the season opener. Action packed from the kick-off to the final whistle we ended up going going on a game winning scoring drive in the final minutes. That was an awesome feeling!
September 28th, 2010 at 5:22 PM ^
Texas Bowl 2009: Mizzou vs Navy. Navy fans were awesome. Golden Girls of Mizzou were awesome.
Runner up: TCU @ SMU last week. SMU was leading in the 2nd half. TCU fans were on the edge all the way to the last 4 minutes up only 2 scores. Great fans on both sides.
Also awesome: Rice @ UH in 2009, Baylor @ Texas in 2008, UMASS @ Texas Tech in 2008. The TT game was weak because of FCS opponent on parents weekend, but was still cool to see Tech during one of their good years.
I'm hoping to catch a game at Louisiana Tech, Oklahoma, Baylor, or TCU sometime this season. Just a function of timing out the trip/cash.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:58 PM ^
That's impressive geographical coverage. If you go to Ruston you could maybe do a double-header (with LA-Monroe).
I spent a half-year in DFW for work and got a decent grasp of SMU, but there weren't any TCU types in the office and, except for a quick visit to their campus, I wasn't able to get much of a feel for it or the students. The local "Mustangs" told me that it had a socially conservative, land-that-time-forgot atmosphere. Is that your impression?