Football lighthearted after win

First things first.

Yes, Aaron Shea is happy that Michigan beat Michigan State on Saturday. Yes, it was a big win, it starts the Big Ten season off on the right foot, it was very exciting, blah, blah, blah.

But let's cut to the chase.

"Huuuuge game tonight," Shea, from Illinois, said emphatically at yesterday's weekly press conference. "Me and Tai Streets (a native of a Chicago suburb) are gonna be watching it at my house. Let's hope the Cubbies win and Sammy hits five home runs."

Sammy didn't, but the Cubs still won.

Shea's comment typified the light-hearted mood. Yes, it's fair to say that the general air about the Michigan football team has changed in the past week or so. Not that it comes as a surprise.

After two losses to start the season, the Wolverines were entitled to their collective bad moods.

You couldn't expect them to be walking around with smiles on their faces.

But what a difference a couple of wins can make. Especially when one of them is over Michigan State. Yesterday, the players were doing their best to maintain an even keel, but the attitude was unmistakable. The victory over the Spartans has breathed life back into the season.

Coach Lloyd Carr had said before the game that he thought it was too soon for the Wolverines and Spartans to face each other. He said he'd rather meet Michigan State in October, after the teams had a chance to get settled.

But by yesterday, Carr had developed a different take.

"Well, now, in winning, I certainly wouldn't change it," Carr said with a smile. "Hopefully, it will be a momentum builder for us in what we can do. We needed a win against a good football team."

That they did. Whether Michigan State can legitimately be termed a "good football team" may be up for debate, but not by the Wolverines. They're treating the victory as the boost they needed to get ready for the grind of the Big Ten season.

09-29-98