Night Game snowflakes

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

Obviously other than the shitty result and offensive play (pun intended), how was your experience yesterday at the game?

The golf course was full by 2pm. There were apparently some fights going on after the game. 

I saw so many drunk people. This one girl who entered my section was so drunk it was unbelievable she could walk. On Hill St we saw some guy just collapse and smack his head on the pavement.

I say screw night games.

The city was a mess trying to get around. We left about 45 minutes after the game ended, and traffic was awful. I got home at 3am. 

If the weather wasn't so bad, there could've been vandalism. That game should never be played at night.

The novelty of it being a night game wore off as soon as the ball kicked off. Rather it had been at Noon.

UMxWolverines

October 9th, 2017 at 7:00 AM ^

Everything was fine except the results on the field. Best atmosphere since the first under the lights. We got out of the Crisler blue lot by 12:30 and were home at 1:15. But of whiners and bitches in this fanbase. Yes, I'm looking at you WD, using Bo quotes to make your point all the time when you weren't even born yet when he retired. Christ.

SagNasty

October 9th, 2017 at 7:00 AM ^

Novelty of it being at night was over as soon as the game started. Personally I'm not a fan of night games. I am in the every game at home should be at noon group. I think this game should have been played at noon or 3:30. Although I didn't see a lot of incidents the potential was definitely there. Pioneer was an absolute shit show on the way in and I'm sure was bad after the game.

wayneandgarth

October 9th, 2017 at 7:05 AM ^

Heard of fights of non Mich students trying to get into frat pregame - first hand knowledge of hospitalizations with bashed up faces. I hate to get rid of night games but against heated rivals may not be the best idea. A MN one is probably good to try to see if there is a difference.

UMForLife

October 9th, 2017 at 8:03 AM ^

I like night games only of it is the first four games. AA is too unpredictable with weather to have a late night game in October. Everyone brings up SEC doing this but their weather is way better than ours. We have a tradition Bourne out of various conditions. So, I vote for night games if it is in September.

Surferrosy

October 9th, 2017 at 8:42 AM ^

X100000. In Athens even if it's a sunny and "gorgeous" 80-85 at kickoff in fall (read: still summer AF), that means it's close to 105 in the metal heat bowl stadium. Brutal enough to make the games borderline unenjoyable, no matter who the opponent.

I will say the night games here bring about as much destruction as is being lamented in this thread but thay's pretty much the norm so I guess everyone is more used to it. One of the worst night game aftermath memories I have is someone driving their car straight through a storefront downtown.

LSAClassOf2000

October 9th, 2017 at 8:34 AM ^

I guess if we're asking me, and we're not but in MGoBlog fashion I will answer all the same, then I really don't have issues with the game times per se - part of that is that I live close enough that it doesn't alter plans drastically for me, so I get the complaints from the long-haul fans. Yeah, it's MSU and yeah, there were plenty of people who entered the stadium already far gone, but I don't think that goes into the ultimate planning of these times.

The game itself bothered me far more than having it kick off at 7:30 PM ever could. The weather obviously didn't help, and we may never know if there was discussion about moving it ahead to 3:30 PM or something to avoid the monsoon we got. That being said, out of consideration for the weather here and the slide into damp and desperately cold nights that can happen without warning, mid-October is not a bad practical cutoff for night games. 

Everyone who said the pregame atmosphere was pretty good is spot on - it was. The game just blew. Could have happened at a 3:30 PM game too. It's definitely not the time that bothers me the most right now. 

pinkfloyd2000

October 9th, 2017 at 8:36 AM ^

Sure, I saw some drunk people. You'll see those at every game. But, I saw zero fights. I saw MANY groups of mixed tailgaters getting along just fine and having a good time--in fact, our group interacted with a few of these groups, and everything went swimmingly. And we exited our golf course parking location with the exact same speed and ease as we do for noon and 3:30 games.



It was perfect--with the exception of the weather and the game itself, of course...

Der Alte

October 9th, 2017 at 8:37 AM ^

This one was worse, for all the reasons so articulately stated in previous posts. We walked down Hill St to the stadium around 5 - 5:30 pm through a whole lot of student activity, especially in and around the fraternity houses. Much beer drinking and comingling, but no one really out of control. As an older guy I appreciated all the scantily clad young women, regardless of whether what little they had on was blue or green. I was also interested in the number of mixed couples --- by which I mean one wearing maize/blue, the other green/white. 

We left at half time because we had an early Sunday morning flight and were concerned about Hurricane Nate coming up through Georgia. And given the way the game was going I had genuine concerns about whether it would turn out well. Plus we missed the rainstorm  altogether --- one of the few positive outcomes of the evening.

When night games were unique to the South it was for a reason. Early in the season the days were still so warm everyone --- especially the players --- was more comfortable in the evening. There's no good reason why night games occur up north ---- and no, the tv peoples' worship of filthy lucre is not a good reason.

ericcarbs

October 9th, 2017 at 8:37 AM ^

Everyone knew it would get bad around 10PM so they should try to move it up a few hours. I know TV wouldn’t allow it but at some point, for player safety and no risk of weather delay, move up the timing and TV networks can figure it out.

BeatOSU52

October 9th, 2017 at 1:41 PM ^

I think it's fine to have a reasonable discussion about this topic, but the pulling out Bo quotes is ridculous in this context.   And I feel everyone's views that are negative are skewed by the shitty weather and shitty product we all saw on the fieldh that night.  

Avon Barksdale

October 9th, 2017 at 8:41 AM ^

Some of you guys completely miss the point. “Night games are bad.”



Bad for who? You? Because night games have been a resounding success for the program. When you have 5 star receivers traveling from California, you are winning. You think any of those kids are coming for a 9 AM Pacific tilt against a cute little regional school like Michigan State?

Zoltanrules

October 9th, 2017 at 8:51 AM ^

1000s of students come down from EL on Friday, many don't even care about football, and it's like spring break reuniting Michigan high school friends. I don't think this last game was any better or worse than any other (and I'm going back decades).

Logistics particularly at noon and after the game were bad. If you don't know the back routes and just go with the masses. A2 is not equipped for efficient mass traffic flow. 

That said MInnesota as a night game makes no sense on any level.

 

 

KC Wolve

October 9th, 2017 at 8:59 AM ^

Most teams/schools fucking beg for night game exposure. Whining about an occasional night game is fucking ridiculous. It’s even more bizarre that someone as young as you still wants it to be 1974 in AA. How about that forward pass? That shit is for the birds. Real men run the ball and don’t do that fancy throwing shit, right? Go to the game, be in bed by 6 is how they did it my day. For the record, I was on the golf course all day, had a blast and didn’t see one incident. There’s my irrelevant one person experience to counter your irrelevant experience.

BlueinLansing

October 9th, 2017 at 9:01 AM ^

at the lack of Sparties inside the stadium.

 

Atmosphere was great, loud and raucus for the most part despite watching two medicocre teams slug it out on the field

I'm not a fan of night games, I rolled home at 2:00 am with a fairly short 1 1/2 hour drive and thankfully we had good weather for the drive home, a 6pm start would have been ideal.

 

I can remember attending one of these games in late September one year and it was 36 degrees at kickoff, that would be absolutely miserable at night.

yourmom_is_hot

October 9th, 2017 at 9:15 AM ^

We got into town at 1pm, drank/ate at Conner O'Neils until about 5pm, walked toward the stadium and met up with some friends at differnet tailgates.  It only took us 35 min getting out of AA from the parking structure at 4th and Washington.  Minus the rain and the end result of the game, it was a good time

Pepto Bismol

October 9th, 2017 at 9:26 AM ^

I rolled into AA around 4:30-5:00. No traffic whatsoever (everyone was already there).  Nearly made the State Street traffic light straight off of 94.  Cruised right into our lot, hassle free. Had a couple drinks with the wife. Stopped by and saw some friends. Watched the band enter. Had a blast at the game. 

The 3rd quarter was a party in the rain at every time out. The end sucked.  We left at the buzzer.  I was back at my suburban home a half hour away just a few ticks past midnight. 

I saw zero altercations. Saw one terribly drunk girl on the way out being helped by a friend. That's it.  No better or worse than any college football game I've been to on any campus.

Did you say there "could've been vandalism"?  Are you serious?  Well if it were a Noon game, there could've been a homicide.  Did you consider that?

It was a great time Saturday. The atmosphere was fantastic.  I hope we do it again soon - and next time, don't forget the offense. 

 

Wolverheel

October 9th, 2017 at 9:36 AM ^

Not gonna lie, this is one of the shittiest non-Maizen takes that I've ever seen on here.

WD, if/when you reach college (I can't assume you have judging by behavior here), you will learn that there will be heavily intoxicated people no matter what.

2Blue4You

October 9th, 2017 at 9:40 AM ^

Parked at 4, hassle free and no traffic. Watched the final play and was back to my car and home in 30 min of the final buzzer.



Not sure where you live WD, but you may be doing it wrong.

His Dudeness

October 9th, 2017 at 10:07 AM ^

It was dumb. Traffic was insane on the way in and we sprinted out with about 2 minutes left of game time and got out before the masses so that was one silver lining.

That golf course may never recover. I saw a Cadillac turf a solid 20 yard patch on the way out.

I said Noon games please before this game and was proven correct.

Pepto Bismol

October 9th, 2017 at 10:31 AM ^

The golf course was torn up?  Would you say that was because it was night time?  Or because it poured rain for an hour and a half?

Traffic for me might've been the easiest maybe ever.  No worse than a game vs. a non-descript MAC opponent.  I arrived in Ann Arbor 3 hours before kickoff - the equivalent of arriving at 9:00am for a Noon kick.

No offense. Just trying to figure out what you proved, other than heavy bias.

His Dudeness

October 9th, 2017 at 10:37 AM ^

It was a combination of night and the rain. Nobody could see shit on how to get out of the course. I almost ran into a bunker. Had to put it in 4 wheel drive. Said Cadillac got stuck twice.

We got in town at 1:30 and it was a fucking nightmare getting into the golf course. Line of cars didn't move for an hour.

NelzQ

October 9th, 2017 at 10:30 AM ^

Cosmic Interferece struck and affected my game experience.

As the second half began, I'm sitting on my bed watching the game and I hear a loud explosion. Everything went black in my house. The transformer behind my house exploded just as the second half began.

So, I was spared watching the second half. Interestingly, only my block was impacted. 54 customers.

I followed the MGOBLOG game thread for the remainder of the game. This calmed me considerably, as I was livid in the first half. The second half, I was about seven minutes behind real time and that was just fine in that moment.

It is inexcusable that our team did not match their intensity, their will or their game planning.

With the '97 squad there, I can hardly fathom our team playing as if they did not want it as much as State.

This is personal, Jim Harbaugh. You need to respond.

NelzQ

October 9th, 2017 at 11:11 AM ^

Worst of all was reading the Spartan players saying they were going to win all week and then our team allowing them to do it.

Where is your will, team?

How much do you want this?

 

Those articles with them saying what they were going to do should have been plastered all over the locker room. They deserved a beat down.

yooper_blue

October 9th, 2017 at 11:03 AM ^

From my perspective, the night game was awesome.. Except for the actual game. Tailgating wise, I think night games are ideal. It's nice to be able to get a nice lunch before you go and tailgate for the rest of the afternoon. I was parked on the golf course and had an awesome experience on Saturday. Obviously, had the game not been during a monsoon, and had Michigan's offense showed up, the game would have been just as enjoyable. The atmosphere at the beginning was awesome and i think if Michigan had won, we would have a different perspective on night games today (obviously). On an added note, complaining about drunk people at a college football game just seems silly and whiny. How many other college football games have you been to? If you want to watch a college football game and not have to deal with drunks, watch from your couch.

anniemoose98

October 9th, 2017 at 11:10 AM ^

My first night game and my first conference game as a member of the MMB, so that was awesome. The halftime show was crazy fun to march in and it felt electric to be in the stadium and have it be that loud.

Also, no rain delay is a plus. I got back to my dorm at 1am anyway, and I don't think any of us would have enjoyed being stuck in Crisler in soaking uniforms until the delay would have been over.

HenneGivenSunday

October 9th, 2017 at 11:44 AM ^

I wasn’t a huge fan of it being a night game, but I have to say that I don’t really think it was worse than any other big game in terms of traffic and drunkenness. Worst thing that happened to me (besides the score) was a rude Michigan fan 2 rows behind me that wanted to sit the whole game. Long day? Yep. Big problems? Not that I saw.

Kevin14

October 9th, 2017 at 11:51 AM ^

Spent the day on the golf course and went to the game.  Nobody in my group (mixed MSU/UM) had any incidents, and I didn't witness any incidents.  Had a great time catching up with friends and tailgating.  

It's awesome having the extra time all day to not be rushed, especially when there's so many more people around who I don't typically tailgate with (out of town UM people and MSU people).  

Assuming there was nothing drastic that I missed, I would love to have more in the future.  I can see it being difficult for people with kids, but with 5-7 other opportunites for home games, it's not a huge deal.

Obiously, the weather for the second half sucked, and I do think we win if the game was a 3:30 kick, but there's no way to predict that.  Could've just as easily been the opposite.  

lmgoblue1

October 9th, 2017 at 12:32 PM ^

For big bucks on StubHub. First time seller. I doubt I'll ever go to a night game again. So glad I missed that game. Wife is too. Would have hated the long ride back to Indiana after that shit show.

NelzQ

October 9th, 2017 at 3:07 PM ^

Respond, Jim.

Dantonio pretty much came out and said he owns Michigan. He says his record is 8-3 and he doesn't get why people still doubt..

This is personal to Dantonio. Jim Harbaugh must respond in kind. The only way to match their intensity is to make it personal.

No more letting them talk smack, then come in your house and beat you.

'Got heart?

NelzQ

October 9th, 2017 at 5:08 PM ^

Focus. Dantonio has a singular focus on beating Michigan. It is obviously not his only focus, but to this point...

I didn't post it earlier (although I almost did), but one of my daughters is a flight attendant with Delta. She told me of a flight to the west coast in May, I believe, on which Dantonio was viewing Michigan film the entire flight.

There must be focus on beating your rivals. 'MUST be focus on beating your rivals, year round.

Or you cannot match their intensity.