The day started off with Dick walking around town distributing Kerry literature for about 2 1/2 hours. He got some great exercise, and his walking partner was interesting. He's planning on doing it again Sunday and Monday.
We took delivery of a beautiful plant - big yellow mums with a huge blue bow - from Sue and John. Go Blue!
Somewhere around 10 a.m. our power went out. Tom Barker said that all of River Road was out. I worked on catalogs for a while, read my book, and thought about my wet clothes in the dryer. It got very dark and windy outside, and so to see my book better, I tried turning on the light - still no power. It finally came back on around 1 or 1:30. If it hadn't come on, we would have gone to a bar to watch the game.
At 3:30 we settled down to watch the Michigan - Michigan State football game. I wasn't worried too much because we are ranked, and the line was Michigan by 11. Well then the roller coaster ride started. State took complete control of the game. They controlled it for the first 3 quarters. The Michigan team was beaten at every turn. We here at home were beginning to feel like whipped puppies. I watched part of the third quarter with a bag over my head.
In the 4th quarter, with 8 minutes to go, I perked up. It was encouraging, but I still didn't expect to win. However... (this from mgoblue.com):
Braylon Edwards caught three touchdown passes, including the game-winner in the third overtime period, as the No. 12-ranked Michigan football team completed a remarkable comeback and defeated Michigan State 45-37 on Saturday, Oct. 30, in Michigan Stadium. Trailing 27-10 with 8:43 left in regulation, Michigan scored 17 points, with the help of two Edwards TD receptions, to send the game to overtime. The teams traded field goals in the first OT and touchdowns in the second before U-M stopped the Spartans in the third.
Yes that's right - 17 points in the last 8 minutes to tie it up. Overtime? How about 3 overtimes. Yes that's right - Three Overtimes. And MICHIGAN WON!! They actually won. Braylon said later it wasn't so much winning, it was more refusing to lose. We were too exhausted to really celebrate.
Poor Tom out in San Diego called us with 2:28 to go in the 4th quarter - his ABC had switched to the USC-Washington State game, and he wasn't able to see The Game. We talked him through to the end, and what an end it was!
The State quarterback had to leave with a shoulder injury, and that's always sad. But then again, Dowdell is not exactly a back-up quarterback. It reminded me of the game where State broke Jim Harbaugh's arm and went on to win. It's always heart-breaking.
State most likely really deserved to win this game. They played the best they could possibly play for as long as they possibly could. We really didn't play until half way through the 4th quarter. But MICHIGAN WON!! Thank you Braylon. Thank you Chad. This game is one for the books.
Sharon, John, Sue and John really had quite the football experience in our end zone seats! Spartan green and white Sharon sent this great letter. You almost feel like you were there:
Actually, I think we certainly got "your money's worth"! What a game! Although I wish the outcome would have been different (can we have those 5 minutes back in the 4th quarter?). It was an outstanding game to experience. What emotional highs and lows, and certainly from the Spartans side, so many "if only's." I think I am still a little heart broken this morning...but pleased with the way we hung in there even after Stanton went down...at least until 6 minutes to go. Then of course it became the Braylon Edwards show. I happen to be one of those that thinks that, especially after the 2nd overtime, you just say it is a tie because neither team deserved to lose that game. I thought the officiating was very bad (but equally bad to both sides). Both teams certainly left everything on the field. We missed you! It was fun visiting with Susan and John (but not the same without you). Susan's John is trying really hard to make Michigan his 3rd favorite team (but it is still a struggle)! Your friends in the stands were great even to John and I although when the score was 27-10 I think they were ready to blame it on you! I don't think I have ever seen The Big House so quiet for most of the game. The real explosion of noise finally came after the on side kick and then didn't let up until the end. Your friends in the stands encouraged us to "Beat Wisconsin" for them. I hope we can! I hope the Spartans can regroup since we have Ohio State next weekend and Stanton is expected to be out 2 to 3 weeks at least. I think Michigan is glad they have a bye week to recover. John and Susan parked by Molly's dorm and I think they were fine getting back to their car. Because I remembered when we went to the games with you how crazy the traffic patterns are after the games (one way streets, etc), and not being too familiar with the streets in Ann Arbor, John and I parked at Briarwood (Kensington Hotel) and took the bus shuttle in. It was great for us. Especially since (except for the few people that left when the score got the 27-10) everyone stayed for the whole game. What a mob scene leaving the stadium! We didn't have to wait more that 5 minutes for a bus and then we got right on 94 west at State Street. The line on State Street going to 94 east was very long. Susan and I thought a lot about you both during the game. We kept saying "D & N aren't happy right now" then Susan would say "her Mom and Dad must be very anxious now", etc. You certainly were missed, but your Go Blue vibes came through in the end. I think people will remember this game for a long time. Thanks so much for letting us experience it first hand!
