IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
(Cue: Raging Synthesizers)
It is Paul Bunyan Eve, sports fans. Less than 24 hours until you're arguing with your buddy/uncle/co-worker about the academic merits of Michigan State or whether or not Denard Robinson KNOWS how to tie a pair of shoes. In fact, here's a few things I've pondered about but never debated with a UM fan. Please bring these up with them if you have free time:
- Schembechler is quite a long last name. Did he hate America?
- If they were allowed to sell only one kind of beer in Michigan Stadium, would it be PBR or Natural Ice?
- What happens first, Mike Hart starts an NFL game or Lindsay Lohan makes a porno?
- Will "Willie the Wolverine" ever return???
Yes, this actually happened. More on this later...
PRIDE COMES BEFORE THE FALL
First, we go back to when the rivalry was reborn. Let's be honest, MSU fans: in recent memory, the Spartans had done nothing to suggest that this game was worth anything except for ammo for workplace banter. No one had come close to having continued success at the expense of the Wolverines since the 1960's (Thanks Bo). However, in Mark Dantonio's 1st year, someone decided to add fuel to the (barely still burning) fire...
The first question directed toward Hart was asking what his mood was when his team was down by 10 with 7 minutes left...apparently he was laughing on the sidelines.
That was immediately after the 2007 MSU/Michigan game at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans, trailing 14-3 at halftime, delivered 21 unanswered points in the 2nd half. With minutes left in the game, the Spartans forced a fumble from the hands of Michigan QB Ryan Mallett...but the ball bounced directly into Mike Hart's hands. Hart took it for 11 yards in what would be the turning point of the final quarter. Michigan scored two monumental TD's in the final minutes to seal yet another victory. Here's what Coach D had to say...
"Little Brother" joined the vernacular of Michigan fans that day, with State fans retorting "Pride Comes Before the Fall" an estimated 9,452,762 times since November 4th, 2007. After that game, MSU seemingly erased the "Same Ol' Spartans" title by rallying to beat Purdue and Penn State in their final two games. The Spartans have beaten Michigan for 2 years in a row - a feat that hasn't happened since Duffy went 3-0 against UM between 1965-67.
DID I JUST SEE THAT???
In a much lighter story, let's talk about mascots. If you don't recognize the picture above, that is Willie the Wolverine at Spartan Stadium in 2003, I believe. Willie was a product of MSU, more specifically the group who coordinates Sparty's activities. Similar to the Mr. Potato Head mascot that they developed for a 2005 MSU vs. Idaho game, Willie was basically a punching bag for Sparty at numerous MSU/Michigan events. However, it caught on in some University of Michigan circles that Willie was actually a new mascot developed by UM Athletics. Obviously, that myth went away quickly. In 2003, Willie was barred from athletics events because UM's AD called the use of the costume "unsportsmanlike."
However, somehow, someway, Willie made a special appearance...at a popular "mascot camp" filmed by Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. At 26 seconds, 37 seconds, and at 1 minute and 15 seconds in this trailer video:
Thanks to the Red Cedar Message Board for bringing this up...and thanks to the University of Minnesota for putting this on. I'm pretty sure the stadium announcer is Fred Willard.
My favorite part is the Chili pepper strutting out onto the court like a Drum Major. Well, that'll do it for now. Look for the Game Preview going up at about 8 tonight. Party safe this weekend, everyone. Go Green!
