CHAPTER 1 BIG GAME IN THE BIG HOUSE Excitement filled the air in Ann Arbor Michigan on September 10 2011. For the first time in the University of Michigan Wolverines 131 year football history the lights were on in the Big House the nickname for their massive football stadium And not only was it the first night game in the legendary stadium but it was also a meeting with one of their fiercest rivals the Notre Dame Fighting Irish The result was an unbelievable heart stopping experience A record crowd of 114,804 filled the Big House That is bigger than the population of many US cities It didn't matter that neither program was at its historic best A game between Michigan and Notre Dame was always a hot ticket Michigan's program was a storied success The Wolverines had won 11 national championships and 42 conference titles to Michigan wide receiver Jeremy Gallon runs downfield against Notre Dame in 2011
RADAN The lights were turned on for Michigan Stadium's first night game when the Wolverines played Notre Dame in 2011 that point A losing season in the Big Ten Conference was rare for Michigan After all Michigan had more victories than anyone in college football However the Wolverines had losing seasons in 2008 and 2009 and were just 7-6 in 2010 Like Michigan Notre Dame was hoping to rebound after several subpar years The Michigan Notre Dame rivalry started in 1887. It had long been an important part of college football Going into the 2011 game Michigan led the series 22-15-1 This game was also special because of the historic importance of the Big House lights Ticket prices had jumped higher and higher ranging from 185 to 600 The famous stadium was built in 1927. Since then all time greats such as Tommy Harmon Bennie Oosterbaan Charles Woodson and US President Gerald Ford had starred while wearing the Wolverines colors maize and blue 6
As the players raced onto the Big House turf for the 2011 game they were greeted by a maize out a sea of yellow shirts in the stands The sound of The Victors Michigan's fight song filled the stadium along with the cheers of pom pom waving fans But the joyful mood soon turned to despair Michigan fell behind and the Fighting Irish controlled the game Notre Dame outgained Michigan 268-90 yards to take a 17-7 lead The Irish had 15 first downs to the Wolverines three Notre Dame expanded its lead to 24-7 with 2:13 left in the third quarter HISTORIC HELMET When coach Fritz Crisler introduced the unique winged helmet to Michigan in 1938 he wanted it to bring attention And it did just that The helmet was not only different but also had a practical advantage on the field according to Crisler He was convinced the bright yellow maize wing on a blue background would help Michigan's passers better see receivers downfield There was a tendency to use different colored helmets just for receivers in those days Crisler said but I always thought that would be as helpful for the defense as for the offense Michigan made a successful debut wearing the new helmet when it opened the 1938 season with a 14-0 win over Michigan State There have been a few minor changes to the design over the years And Michigan teams in other sports such as ice hockey baseball softball field hockey and even rowing later adopted the winged helmet 7
