2023 MGoPhotos of the Game (Big Ten Championship Game): Iowa
Full album links
2023 Big Ten Championship Game vs Iowa (Patrick Barron)
2023 Big Ten Championship Game vs Iowa (Paul Sherman)
(The first album is still being updated with new photos so keep checking in!)
Well, you all want to know how that went down? You know, the one part after the game we were all curious about? Well here's how that went down.
The clock hit zero and Michigan's bench entered the field to celebrate, but it wasn't like the last two years. A few players cheered, jumped up and down, and immediately grabbed their phones for celebration shots. But many of the veterans celebrated like it was an October win, going over to the Iowa players for some hugs and congratulations. Maybe by the time you win three straight Big Ten Championships it feels a bit more routine. Maybe all the emotion was exhausted after the Ohio State game and this was just a formality. Either way, Michigan quietly put the final nail in the Big Ten West division coffin (RIP you glorious mistake) and proceeded to socially mingle amongst themselves.
On the other side of the field, the Big Ten Championship trophy and a single staffer waited.
And then Joel Klatt arrived, along with Tony Petitti himself. The boos from the Michigan fans in the background were among the loudest sounds of the evening. It was then that they waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Michigan was in absolutely no rush to meet him at that stage. I even began to wonder if they'd just go straight to the locker room. This ended up not being the case.
Slowly the players trickled into the area just below the stage. Nobody went up, though. Trente Jones stood guard with a flag, a similar flag to the one paraded around Ohio Stadium.
And they waited.
Finally, someone must have told them to go onto the stage. Zak Zinter slowly went up first, crutches in hand, followed by Jim Harbaugh. Then a few seniors and starters.
Jim briefly shook Tony's hand. Unknown words were said.
And while I think Jim was pointing to Zak here, in my opinion this photo overall describes the vibe. One man here wants to celebrate with his team. The other wants the next five minutes to end as soon as possible.
The trophy was handed to Zak Zinter first, who proceeded to give it a kiss, as one does. The Rose Bowl isn't for four weeks so every bacterial and viral strain on it should be naturally immunized by then.
Also Mikey was awarded the game MVP trophy. Media gets two votes (one per team). I voted for Mike Sainristil and Tory Taylor, naturally.
And then Tony Petitti fled. No words into the microphone. He left the stage and fled back into his hole to a chorus of boos and middle fingers from the Michigan fans surrounding the tunnel.
From there, the mood got a bit lighter. Joel Klatt spoke to Harbaugh on stage. Jim asked the crowd "Who's got it better than us" followed by an erupting "NOOOOOBODY".
JJ crowned Jim Harbaugh.
And then some celebrations began with players. There were confetti snowball fights, confetti angels, video shoots, and autographs signed galore. Did it still feel a bit like a formality? Sure.
But was it fun? Absolutely.
And now here we are. Michigan is the #1 team in the country. They are going to the Rose Bowl. I've wanted to go to the Rose Bowl for 20 years. I know a lot of you have. Finally.
Who's got it better than us?
Nobody.
About the Photographers
If you'd like to support us, one of the simplest things you can do is follow us on social media (links just below) where we post way more photos than here. In the offseason I also do a LOT of wildlife/national park photography. While we're not allowed to sell any of our sports photos per our credential agreement (sorry to anyone who reached out asking about one), I sell prints from my adventures which I sell on FineArtAmerica. You can buy prints (or just look at some pretty pictures) here: Patrick Barron Art Collections Or if you'd like, you can simply support me by buying me a coffee!
Social Media Accounts:
Patrick Barron:
Twitter: @BlueBarronPhoto
Instagram: @BlueBarronPhoto
Instagram (BUT WITH BEARS): @BlueBarronPhoto_Wild
Paul Sherman
Twitter: @thedailypsherm
Instagram: @thedailypsherm
[Oh and there was a football game after THE JUMP]
See you in Pasadena
December 3rd, 2023 at 9:23 PM ^
Great work as always!
December 3rd, 2023 at 9:26 PM ^
I think Jim Harbaugh should have pressed the mic into Pettitti's hand and exhorted him to give a speech, but he's classier than I am apparently
December 4th, 2023 at 4:58 AM ^
If I had been in Jim's place, I would have ordered Keegan and Graham to carry him out of the stadium and toss him in an actual dumpster. Jim is a better man than me.
December 4th, 2023 at 6:55 AM ^
Sometimes your windshield hits a bug along the way. Then you wash away its residue and it returns to its insignificance a little worse for wear. And you continue on.
December 4th, 2023 at 7:55 AM ^
I suspect that 90% of us feel the same way - we would have done something to take a jab at Little Titties. And yet, there is JH showing what an honorable man he is. If you believe in turning the other cheek, JH truly is an example. I don't know how he has such restraint.
December 4th, 2023 at 3:31 PM ^
Success in the face of adversity is the best revenge. Jim is embodying this now, and will continue to embody it on the way to Michigan's twelfth national title.
December 3rd, 2023 at 9:33 PM ^
I watched a video of that Harbaugh and commissioner exchange. Jim got Tony's attention and told him to hand the trophy to Zinter, then they shook hands. And that was that.
December 3rd, 2023 at 11:18 PM ^
I hope the handshake was like this, with Bernie Mac as Jim:
December 4th, 2023 at 6:51 AM ^
Anyone else notice that during the handshake, Jim is turning it so he’s on top and Tony is underneath? Subtle power move.
December 4th, 2023 at 7:57 AM ^
Nice. The look on Klatt's face is priceless. He's got that "oh shit, this is the moment ..." look
December 3rd, 2023 at 9:51 PM ^
God bless those kids. I'm happier about this championship than any other in my lifetime. I genuinely believe there isn't another group of kids and coaching staff in the country that could have dealt with the hideous amount of social media angst, lies, and bullshit that they did.
An absolutely spectacular 'forget you' to the conference and the people who doubted them.
December 3rd, 2023 at 9:57 PM ^
"Some even suggest that the up-and-down motion of the handshake was supposed to dislodge any knives or daggers that might be hidden up a sleeve."
December 3rd, 2023 at 9:57 PM ^
Awesome shots, thanks! Take that Little Tony!
December 3rd, 2023 at 10:09 PM ^
Sometimes people standing on third base did hit a triple [Paul Sherman]
This is a great line I'm going to reuse, big credit to the originator
December 3rd, 2023 at 10:20 PM ^
What is that awesome picture of Mikey jumping a reaction to?
December 3rd, 2023 at 10:29 PM ^
Also, great picture of Cade doubled over in disbelief over what appears to be an incomplete pass.
December 3rd, 2023 at 10:21 PM ^
Great job capturing a beautiful night. I’m in one of the Sherman pictures. Are prints or poster size options possible to purchase??
edit: I’m not on Twitter or Instagram. Is there another way to reach out about a purchase?
December 3rd, 2023 at 10:37 PM ^
While we're not allowed to sell any of our sports photos per our credential agreement (sorry to anyone who reached out asking about one)
I'm not sure what that means exactly - the school owns the copyright on the photos?
December 3rd, 2023 at 10:30 PM ^
I voted for Sainristil and Castro. The kid (early 20s I think) sitting next to me in the press box spent the whole game making score graphics of the day's NHL/NBA/CFB games and posting them to Twitter. He never looked up at the football game he was ostensibly covering the whole time. When they announced mid-3rd Q you could vote for MVP he opened it up and voted for Corum and Higgins, who'd just at that moment buried himself in the line as Mullings popped out for 7 yards. I told him he's gonna want to change that vote to match mine, and he did so.
December 4th, 2023 at 11:26 AM ^
I didn't know you shared a box with a member of the CFP Committee.
December 3rd, 2023 at 10:41 PM ^
Right hand profile view of a first down
Not sure what that is supposed to mean, but if this is the catch I'm thinking of it didn't net a first down. In fact it only gained like 3 yards.
December 3rd, 2023 at 10:43 PM ^
“Blue like my Corvette”
I’m “Blue Vet” because I’m a Michigan alum / fan and because I’m a veteran.
ALSO because my best friend in the Army had a blue Corvette.
(I decided against calling myself Cheap Old Gray VW).
December 3rd, 2023 at 10:46 PM ^
A commissioner who fails to publicly congratulate his conference champ because he doesn't want to get booed? That is Ryan Day levels of soft.
December 3rd, 2023 at 10:46 PM ^
A commissioner who fails to publicly congratulate his conference champ because he doesn't want to get booed? That is Ryan Day levels of soft.
December 3rd, 2023 at 11:41 PM ^
In that picture of Zak kissing the trophy, was JJ laser-eyeing Petiti?
December 4th, 2023 at 7:47 AM ^
I think JJ's using his ventriloquist smile and saying "Dude, get the fuck outa here"
December 3rd, 2023 at 11:42 PM ^
So Tony wears a grey suit and a scarlet tie. Must be the official colors of the B10 conference office.
I hope Jim asked him if the tie was a present from Ryan.
December 4th, 2023 at 7:50 AM ^
Good observation. Couldn't even bother wearing the color of the conference. There's a man (term used loosely) who knows what side his bread is buttered on.
December 3rd, 2023 at 11:55 PM ^
I attended the Rose Bowl back in 1991 or so when Washington beat us bad with Steve Emtman. Unless it changed, the first few rows behind bench were bad seats because they started at field level and one couldn't see over the standing players well. The field was curved and when players in middle we could see them but when they ran to either side it would be blocked out. Don't get duped in getting seats the first row or two behind bench.
December 4th, 2023 at 12:19 AM ^
Wow! Fantastic. THANKS!
December 4th, 2023 at 12:57 AM ^
Pulitzer Prize to whoever at MGoBlog captions all the photos...
December 4th, 2023 at 5:32 AM ^
FUK tony petitedick
December 4th, 2023 at 8:57 AM ^
Catching Ferentz' expression as Semaj breaks the return is perfection. Bravo!
December 4th, 2023 at 3:35 PM ^
"Sometimes people standing on third base did hit a triple."
Hot damn!
December 4th, 2023 at 4:33 PM ^
Your pictures as usual are awesome!
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