Way Back When-sday: September 11, 2001

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​Though you may be at your limit for 9/11 rehashes this week, I couldn't help but make this week's Way Back Whens-day refer to the day America was attacked. Coming off of the only week where a game has been suspended due to weather, I would like to take you back to the only time a game has ever been cancelled...

A large contingency of UMTailgaters made their way out west to see Michigan fall to the Washington Huskies on September 8th. A disappointing game, yes, but it was a great trip to the great Northwest, filled with amazing mountain views and large portions of salmon. Most of us made our way back to Michigan on Sunday and Monday, but a few Wolverine faithful had a Tuesday flight. A flight that they would never take. Following the attacks on the World Trade Center, all flights were grounded, and the Godfather and friends opted to rent a car and make their way back to Michigan on the road. With two of our regulars hailing from New York City, we were all thankful that our group's tragedy was nothing but a bit of inconvenience.

In the aftermath of 9/11, the University of Michigan opted to cancel the weekend's game against Western Michigan. 

A team shift allowed for minimal changes to the schedule, and we all gathered the following week for the Western Michigan game, where we established the now famous Bin Lotto. The team flags had come down from around The Big House, replaced by half-mast American flags. In the stands, 100,000+ gathered and stood in silence and remembrance, and united in song for the National Anthem and God Bless America.

Way Back When-sday: September 30th, 2001

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Ah yes, summertime is dwindling down, and autumn is upon us.

The Tigers are recovering from a 5-game losing streak by beating up on Sox of a different color. Last night, Bonderman, Ledezma, Rodney, and Jones combined to allow just two runs, then went out and beat up some smaaart kids at a Haaavard Bar. Might have lost Placido in the process though...

Things are in full fall swing at Camp Shembechler, and if you don't know Terrance Taylor, you will soon enough. Meanwhile, Michigan is going from crap to underrated to dark horse to everybody's secret pick so fast that the AP might have us in the top-10. How can we surprise anyone if everybody knows we are coming? Sports Illustrated online featured us, and Sportcenter's Championship Series just showed us moving up to #8 after knocking off Notre Dame. They do a week from the season each day at 6pm on Sportscenter, and I've got this funny feeling they're going to ride us out as long as possible, pissing off the football powers that be at every step.

But alas, today is not about today, it's about yesterday. It's Way Back When-sday, and today we travel back to one of the early tailgates in UMTailgate.com history...

It was September 29th, 2001, and just to put into perspective how long ago that is, Michigan was about to face Illinois...and Illinois was ranked #22. Crazier still, we had not knocked off the Illini in the Big house since 1996. Wow.

Michigan put a hurting on Illinois on this day, winning 45-20. It came at the hands of unbelievably creative playcalling, which included a 51-yard pass from Marquise Walker TO Jermaine Gonzalez, and a 21-yard touchdown pass by Walter Cross. Yes, you just read that correctly. Maybe it would be more believable if I told you that our regular QB was John Navarre? The day also included a completion from Navarre to TE Bill Seymour, and a reverse for a touchdown by Calvin Bell. Christ, how did we win any games that year? Well, we did get crushed in the Citrus Bowl by Tennessee 45-17.

But the game was not the big story. Captain Michigan retired his leg wrestling championship belt on this day, and became the first person inducted into the UMTailgate.com Hall of Fame. His name was etched into history on the UMTailgate.com flag, which was unveiled by Bubba for the first time in front of a capacity tailgate crowd.

See the original post here, the pictures here, and share your memories of this special day below.

Scheduling note: Michigan Fan Day has been officially scheduled for August 26th.

17 days? You're not ready.

 

Gutter Ball

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Out-matched Wolverines Embarassed in Citrus Bowl

First, for those that have never made the journey, let me tell you all a little bit about the Citrus Bowl. It is similar to going to a baseball game at old Tiger Stadium. The parking areas are a mix of gravel and grass. Local shops include a 'drug' store, a liquor store, and a pawn shop, and all have bars on the windows. The pagentry of BCS bowl games is missing here. The only thing 'Citrus' available at the Citrus Bowl were small bottles of Tangerine juice, obviously left over from the newly resurrected Tangerine Bowl played a week earlier. The food inside included cheese steak sandwiches, smoked turkey legs, popcorn, and hot dogs. All of the food was of the quality of, in the words of Stephen W., 'a food stand in a 3rd world country'. After we all completed a cheese steak sandwich, a churning buring sensation arose in our stomachs. Luckily, Bubba and I chased our cheese steak sandwich with with the turkey legs, which were obviously leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner at a local soup kitchen. The bacteria in the Turkey legs killed the fungus in the steak (which was not beef by any stretch of the imagination) and we survived. Thank goodness they served beer at the game, as the alcohol further dampened the effects of the food poisoning that we all endured.

Why am I going on an on about the conditions of the Citrus Bowl, and the food there? Because despite all of it's shortcomings, the stadium outshined the Wolverines, as the untalented John Navarre left our outmatched defense on the field the whole game, and Tennessee rolled over the Wolverines 45-17. Perhaps this is the wake-up call we needed, perhaps this will lead to bigger and better things down the road, perhaps John Navarre has started his last game. All of our questions will be answered in a little less than eight months when the Huskies come to town on August 31st.

I hope everyone enjoyed the tailgating season and I thank you all for visiting the site so often. There will be alot of changes on the site before the next season starts. Until then, I hope you all continue to check back to see the winter reunions, spring game, and summer exploits of the upcoming return to Cumberland Lake. Use the message board to keep in touch. I hope to hear from and see you all soon.

The Navarre-Ending Story

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In the End, It Comes Down to Steak or Fruit

No clock problems, no blocked field goals...just an old fashioned ass-whoopin' at the hands of the Buckeyes. At the end of the first half, it was 23-0, and despite making a valiant effort to make a comeback in the second half, 5 turnovers at the hands of #16 were ultimately the demise of the now 8-3 Maize and Blue, losing 26-20 to the unranked Buckeyes. The horrible second half of the season came to a close and the Wolverines are left with an uncertain bowl picture. Something is out of sync in Ann Arbor, and the Wolverines have a little over a month to work things out before facing the SEC's 2nd or 3rd representative in either the Outback or Citrus Bowl.

GO BLUE!

Birthdays and Buckeyes

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The Big Day

One year ago today, I sat down to scan two photo albums filled with pictures and build UMTailgate.com. I remember sitting in front of my computer with Bill at my side, scanning pic after pic for hours on end as Bill created his yearly collage. Never in my wildest imagination did I think UMTailgate.com would become what it is today. For the first few months of off-season time, we would get 20 to 30 hits a week, all from the close knit family that makes up our tailgate. We used the site as a means to stay in touch, make some off-season contacts and events, and just to say 'hi'. Now in its first full season with weekly updates from all home and away football contests, UMTailgate.com averages over 500 visitors a week from all over the United States, and all over the globe. I have been approached on numerous occasions by tailgaters and fans that recognize people from our tailgating family, many of whom I have never met, that are impressed by our persistence and our passion, and enjoy seeing just how much fun we have.

And so on this the 1st birthday of UMTailgate.com, I want to remind you all that this is not about me. This is OUR birthday. WE make UMTailgate.com what it is...together. I can't thank you all enough for all of the support I have received, the suggestions that you've made, and the messages you have left on the board. UMTailgate.com continues to grow, and it will get better and better as years pass. I dream of the day where every game has a "Previous Meeting" to look back on to spark a memory of a great game, great tailgate, or great friend.

In addition, with your help I continue to strive to make this a better website...and I am far from done. UMTailgate.com is slowly becoming a part of Michigan Football, and I refuse to stop until it is something that every Michigan fan knows about. It is our legacy, online, and no one can take any of the images, prose, or poetry away from us.

Again, I thank you all for making UMTailgate.com another way to GO BLUE.

310 Days Go By Fast, eh Jim?

Each year there is one thing you can count on. Michigan and Ohio State play their last game of the regular season against each other, and it ALWAYS means something. Countless Big Ten and National titles have been decided in Ann Arbor and Columbus in November, and this year it is no different. Make no mistake, Ohio State is coming to town this weekend to stop Michigan from claiming the Big Ten championship.

In addition, Michigan vs. Ohio State occurs on Thanksgiving weekend in Ann Arbor for the first time since 1985. There is no place I would rather be to celebrate all that I have to be thankful for...starting with the fact that I was not born in Columbus, and I've only had to visit that cesspool one time in my 25 years of existence.

Not to be forgotten, there are several other birthdays to celebrate this weekend, highlighted by that of Tuba and Captain Michigan. Both will most likely be too drunk by gametime to remember, so be sure to wish them a happy birthday before 9am.

GO BLUE!