Emotions surged through Ann Arbor on Saturday as fans celebrated Michigan's victory by rushing the field, crowding outside the University president's house and packing campus bars.
"I came to school here just for this moment," said Business senior Jeff Williams, as he celebrated on the field with an estimated 8,000 other students.
"I've been waiting 21 years to do this and it feels great," said Education senior Dave Hebert. "Oh, my God, it feels great. It's like I've been reborn as a Michigan fan."
When the game clock reached zero, handfuls of fans braved the 7-foot drop from the stands onto the field. A few minutes later, thousands of fans rushed down the stairways to crowd onto the stadium grass.
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| SARA STILLMAN/Daily Thousands of fans celebrate on the field at Michigan Stadium after the Wolverines' 20-14 victory over the Buckeyes secured a Rose Bowl bid. |
"I couldn't move after the game. It was so crowded," said Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson. "All the fans were grabbing me ... . So far it's so great, and we're going to Pasadena."
Fans hugged and kissed strangers and friends alike as they stayed on the field for nearly an hour after Michigan's triumph. Others took pieces of the actual field as a souvenir, digging up chunks of the turf to save for posterity.
"I got sod from the 50-yard line, two pairs of players' gloves - No. 97's and No. 42's gloves," said fan Terry McClellan, who later sold a wristband he picked up while on the field. "I feel great ... . The best part is that we won."
"I've been waiting for this day ever since I got here," Business senior Rob McLeod said as he hugged his friend in celebration.
"It's fantastic," said LSA sophomore Matt Plumb, a trumpet player in the marching band. "It has to be one of the greatest moments of my life."
During the on-field melee, Plumb turned to his fellow band members and said, "I love you guys."
Outside the stadium gates, thousands of students rushed down South University Avenue and crowded onto University President Lee Bollinger's lawn.
"I came to meet the big guy," said LSA senior Safdar Bandukwala. "I came to congratulate him."
Bollinger didn't greet the crowd nor did he invite students into his house as he did after the Penn State victory, but thousands of fans continued to crowd the street and lawn, shouting "We want Lee."
Exuberant Wolverines surfed through the crowds, climbed trees, jumped on moving cars and videotaped the moment. One student fell 40 feet from a tree outside the president's house and was rushed to the hospital, where he remained yesterday in fair condition.
Partiers celebrated on South University, which became so crowded that people couldn't move at times.
One car carried nine screaming fans on its hood and roof as the crowd surrounded it, chanting "Go Blue" as they pounded on the car. A person driving a jeep honked its horn and allowed strangers to jump into the car.
Five excited Michigan fans doused a Buckeye flag with lighter fluid while students cheered as they watched it burn.
Along South University, indignant Ohio State fans and rowdy Michigan fans exchanged insults and victory cheers, while firefighters and police stood by to monitor the situation.
Another large crowd of more than 100 students and fans gathered at the corner of South University and East University avenues, one side shouting "Go" while the other responded with "Blue."
LSA junior Kevin Fogelberg, who screamed from atop a circular bench, said he felt "amazing" with so many students gathered in one location.
"I've never seen this much energy and this much life in this school since I've been here. It's like (your) birthday and Christmas all in one," Fogelberg said.
More daring students, however, climbed to high branches of a tree outside the president's house to show their school spirit.
Students stood under the tree-climbers, waiting for them to jump from the branches and shouting insults.
The celebration came to a sudden halt when a student fell 40 feet from a tree outside the house. The crowd of about 1,000 stood into a chilling hush.
But the celebration picked up again later that evening, as students crowded campus bars, generating long lines down the street.
During the post-game celebration, University alumnus Dave Speirs called the day unbelievable.
"I've been a fan since 1965. I've experienced disappointment and I'm ready to celebrate," said Speirs, who was heading home to watch replays of the game. "I'm going home to watch the game again, and a third time tomorrow."
The celebration began long before the clock ran out. The record-breaking crowd of 106,982 jammed some sections so tightly that fans could not walk through the aisles.
"There's no way if someone got hurt that we could get down there on time," said stadium usher Marsha Kraycir.
But students said the crammed stands strengthened the camaraderie between fans. "We're packed in like sardines," LSA senior J.B. Baranowski said. "I love it."
The density of the crowd made it easier for students to surf atop the fans.
"It was amazing," said Engineering sophomore Jon Weinert, who was passed around the crowd at Michigan Stadium. "It was the best rush. It wasn't scary because everybody was just holding (me) up, and I knew they weren't going to drop me."
Supported by the arms of friends, Baranowski did a push-up for every point the Wolverines had after each touchdown.
"I fire up section 25," Baranowski screamed. "I'm the lifeblood, the artery of section 25." His cheers included "Who, who, who let the dogs out," and "It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine."
Maize and blue dotted the crowd, through painted bodies, clothing and Wolverine paraphernalia. LSA first-year student Jared Cardon, who covered his chest in Michigan colors and came without a shirt, said his painted chest convinced stadium ushers to let him into different sections during the game.
"Obviously, there's tons of support for the painted guys," said Cardon, who started off the afternoon running through fraternity houses to get students fired up.
LSA senior Cameron Taylor and Music senior John Hobart designed their own silkscreen T-shirts that said "OSU fuckeyes lick nutz."
Even before the game started, the two seniors were confident of a Michigan victory that would allow them to relive a celebration from the Wolverines' victory over the Buckeyes two years ago when the students ripped Ohio State flags off cars and urinated on them.
"We're gonna overdo that today," said Taylor, who got out of bed to begin drinking at 6 a.m.
Also confident of a Michigan win was Ann Arbor resident Robert Margraves, who brought 26 dozen roses into the stadium to sell to fans.
"I think if Michigan wins, they're going to Pasadena, you should buy a rose," Margraves said.
Fans came to the game from across the country to witness the Wolverines earn an invitation to Pasadena.
"We left last night," said Joey English, of Atlanta, Mich., who drove more than 200 miles to see the game. "We've got a new word for Lloyd Carr now (up north). We call him Lord Carr."
Former Michigan player Sean LaFountaine, who played on the triumphant 1989 Rose Bowl team, said yesterday's win brought back a legacy accomplished by previous teams.
"I feel good that they're going to be able to taste Big Ten championship again," LaFountaine said. "I feel it's about time that Michigan proves that they're back in contention again."
Bars opened as early as 9 a.m. to accommodate game watchers, but lines still stretched out the doors hours before kickoff.
But, not to be outdone, OSU fans boasted that Columbus bars open at 6 a.m. on game days. In Ohio, fraternities also hold "kegs and eggs" parties, where students wake up with a hot breakfast and a cold beer.
Although some Ann Arbor barcrawlers were not at the stadium, they were enthused by the game. Chants ridiculing the Buckeyes filled the air in Scorekeepers on Maynard Street, along with the favorite, "Hail to the Victors."
After the failed last-minute fourth-down attempt by Ohio State, the bar crowds went into hysterics.
"It was awesome. We kicked ass. Michigan is No. 1," said Dejah Marinkovski, a Business junior.
OSU fans who watched the game in Ann Arbor faced the agony of defeat.
"The sun shines on every dog's ass," said Eric Kaufman, who hails from Ohio. "It should have been a closer game."
Michigan's victory made Ohio State fans rethink their team devotions.
"My heart is with Ohio, but since we lost, my dedication is with Michigan to win the national championship," said John Guardodo, an Ohio native. "We need to see a Big Ten championship."
Other Ohio State fans said they are not tremendously disappointed by the loss.
"It was a good game overall," said Buckeye fan Terry Bogan. "I'm glad to see them come back at the end so it wasn't a total blowout. They are both very good teams."
Some Wolverine fans used the victory as a way to raise money for charity, including the fraternity Beta Theta Pi, which charged $1 for people to use a sledgehammer to smash a van with Ohio State written on it. The proceeds went to the Special Olympics.
Many fans said they plan to follow the Wolverines to Pasadena, including LSA first-year student Kari Kristan.
"It's awesome. It's amazing," Kristan said. "We go to the best school in the country."
University alumni Mark Grueber and Dave Gamm said they plan to take their undefeated lucky signs with them to Pasadena. The signs, which they've brought to every Wolverine home game, consist of a capital letter "D" and a cardboard fence to spell "defense."
"We owe it to the team to take them," Gamm said.
Other students said that while they will not make the trip to Pasadena, they plan to watch from home.
"I'm going to be in New York, but I'll be with them in spirit," said Business School junior Sara Cady. "This is just so excellent."
- Reported by Daily Staff Reporters Megan Exley, Heather Kamins, Chris Metinko, Katie Plona, Alice Robinson and Peter Romer-Friedman.
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| KELLY MCKINNELL/Daily A Michigan football player signs a football for young Wolverine fan Justin Jansen following Michigan's triumphant victory over the Buckeyes. |
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| MARGARET MYERS/Daily Michigan fans storm the field near the 20-yard line after Saturday's game. Thousands of fans made the seven-foot jump from the stands onto the field. |
11-24-97
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