The Michigan Daily - Friday, November 11, 1988 - Page 11
The Schef's4
BY ADAM SCHEFTER
Specialty
One final time to enjoy
the comforts of home
With all the anticipation of the Michigan-Illinois game being for the
Rose Bowl, I have lost sight of one important fact - tomorrow will be
the final time as a college student that I sit in Michigan Stadium.
During the second half, a message will come over the P.A. system.
The announcement is made every year. But never before will it have
sounded so loud or so alarming.
"Today, we would like to pay tribute to the Michigan football players
participating in their final game at Michigan Stadium. Good-bye to..."
THE NAMES will be called. In the past I have clapped and yelled. I
have given little thought to the end of those gltrious college days.
Tomorrow, there will be loud ovations again. I will try not to pay
attention.
I am hopeful that I'll be shouting for Mark Messner grabbing a hold of
the quarterback. Cheering John Kolesar streaking down the sideline, ball
tucked under his arm. Applauding John Vitale blowing an opponent off
the line. Too busy enjoying the players who have given me so much
pleasure the past four years to be saddened.
It will be my time to reflect on the memories of football Saturdays. I
don't need anyone else reminding me Saturday is my last home game.
Last home game?
I can't believe it's almost over.
I thought Saturdays in the fall were planned for the rest of my life. I
thought I would forever be able to wake up and walk to the Stadium. I
thought there would always be 106,000 other fans to celebrate with. I
thought this time would never end.
I REMEMBER my first game. I looked forward to seeing Notre
"Dame, the most prestigious college football program in America, play
my school. Being from the East and never having been a Wolverine fan
before, I expected my interest to be slightly aroused.
But seeing the "Go Blue, M' Club Supports You" banner being
hoisted for the first time, and the swarm of maize and blue streaming out
to touch it, more than slightly aroused my interest. It hypnotized me.
Football Saturday became the highlight of the week. It was a time my
friends and I could put football jerseys on, paint our faces, and act as silly
as we wanted. Dancing, singing, waving - anything to pull for our team.
The last home game. I can't believe it's almost over.
I have to admit, there were some games I didn't feel like attending -
Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Long Beach State to name a few. Too
Mtuch work, up late the night before, or whatever. I still made it to every
game.
Next year, though I'll be able to watch Michigan on television from
whatever state I'm located in, it's won't be the same as being at the game.
I keep thinking of the movie, The Big Chill. Remember the scene
where they all gather in the den to watch Michigan? They see Bo
screaming and making life miserable for the referees. They talk about what
it was like to be at college. Well, I'm still here. For one more game at
least. And I'm going to make sure I enjoy every second of it.
If Michigan is victorious, and earns a Rose Bowl berth, there will be
celebrating. But in the midst of the festivities, there will be something
inside me not allowing me to completely rejoice. Something special will
be gone.
If you're not a senior, and you can't fully relate to my sentiments, cut
this column out. Put it in your wallet. Take it out the night before your
,j±nal home game. Read it then. You'll understand it better.
For the seniors, this is it. The final home football game. A sign that
the best four years of our lives are coming to a close. It's been
unbelievable.
I cant believe it's almost over.
Illinois
Continued from Page 1
"I'm ashamed of this team and the
football program," White said after
that game. "It obviously isn't where
it should be."
A year later, under Mackovic,
Illinois needs only to beat Michigan
and then Northwestern to play in the
Rose Bowl.
Michigan coach Bo Schembechler
said: "Nobody ever expected
(Mackovic) to be in the
championship game in the 10th
game of the season. Not a one of you
(reporters) predicted that."
Schembechler said Mackovic
deserves to be named Big Ten Coach
of the Year. He's turned last year's
patsy into a good team on both sides
of the ball.
"They do a good job running the
football," Schembechler said.
"They've got good balance."
Illinois' offense is led by
sophomore quarterback Jeff George,
who was redshirted last year after
transferring from Purdue, where he
also started. George rates fourth
among conference quarterbacks in
passing efficiency and second in total
offense. He is the only conference
quarterback besides Iowa's Chuck
Hartlieb with more than 2,000 yards
passing.
Senior running back Keith Jones
is fourth in the conference in rushing
yardage with 885 yards and
sophomore Howard Griffith is 10th
with 529. Both average 5.3 yards per
carry, behind only Michigan's Tony
Boles, who averages 5.5 yards per
carry.
Both are dangerous receivers, also.
Jones has 40 receptions for 299 yards
and Griffith has 29 for 170. Junior
wide receiver Steve Williams has 34
catches for 460 yards.
Schembechler said about Illinois'
defense: "This'll be a tough game to
move the ball on the ground. We
might have to go to the air waves."
He'll have to do so without
quarterback Michael Taylor, the Big
Ten leader in passing efficiency.
Taylor broke his collarbone last week
against Minnesota.
Demetrius Brown, who started
most of last season, including
against Illinois, will play. He has
played well when called this year,
completing 19 of 28 passes.
CLASSIFIED ADSI
Call 764-0557
Michigan quarterback Demetrius Brown looks to lead the
Wolverines to the Rose Bowl with a win against Illinois
tomorrow at 1 p.m.
MEET
MICHIGAN BASKETBALL COACH
BILL FRIEDER
with co-author Jeff Mortimer
Autographing copies of
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