It was Sept. 12, 1981. Kelly was a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Michigan, the elite of the Big Ten had won 12 straight conference openers. It would be 11 years before Barry Alvarez would arrive on the scene. Somehow, someway the UW-Badgers beat Michigan 21-14. I’m sure Kelly remembers the nutsy atmosphere as everybody celebrated beating the arrogant Wolverines.
Since 1981, Michigan has won 23 straight Big Ten opening games. On Saturday night, Sept. 24, 2005, Michigan again came to town to open it’s conference season. Michigan was favored by 3 points.
The Badgers trailed by 10 points at half-time but they played “Barry-ball”. That means run, run, and maybe run some more. That spells control and it keeps the game close. Well, lo and behold, the Badgers trailed by 4 points with 37 seconds to go when John Stocco, the inept Badger quarterback stepped backed 3 steps and then ran the ball 4 yards with a “quarter back draw”. He scored. Badgers up by 3. Badgers win, Badgers win, Badgers win. Final score? 23-20.
Paul (and Jenny) and your mom got to see history being made. Somehow Paul has been suspiciously present at big events. He and Jenny got to see Badger fans go nuts as history repeated itself for the first time since 1981. A little rain could not dampen spirits.
But even more significant, Kelly (and Carlos) were at the game with tickets provided by Group Health. So Kelly got to see the repeat of a special moment. I’m sure her thoughts go back to the days when she was in the Marching Band and they beat the “bad guys from Ann Arbor” in 1981. They say you can’t go back, but this had to be awful close.
Suddenly Wisconsin is now rated No. 17 in the nation in several polls and Michigan has fallen on bad times with the pollsters. Aaawwwww! Poor Michgigan!
The Badgers do not have a great team but they won a great game. There is no question that the highlight of the season will be the victory over Michigan. A special historical moment was created; again!
A fun time was had by all.
Love,
Dad