Posted on Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 6:12 p.m.
Some seek cover, others cool off as rain hits Michigan football game
By Pete Cunningham
Heavy rains came down on Michigan Stadium at halftime and in the third quarter of Michigan's season-opening football game against Western Michigan. While some fans rushed for cover, other took it as an opportunity for a reprieve from the scorching heat.
The storms included lightning, which forced two delays in the third quarter.
Contact Pete Cunningham at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.
I wasn't there I watched at home. But i am curious about the notion of evacuating the stadium. Several thoughts come to mind * Is there any science to suggest one is safer outside the stadium than inside with respect to lightening? Otherwise folks who were a long way from their car (shuttle bussed in) or their apartment are stuck outside anyway * what sort of security check was there to reenter the stadium? * did they actually force 109,000 people to leave? If so how long did it take to empty them out in to the streets?
SonnyDog09
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 2:14 p.m.
I heard the teevee announcers blathering on about "aluminum bleachers." The last time that I was at the big house, the bleachers were plastic, and the base was concrete. The stadium is mostly below ground. Most of the lightning strikes that I have seen have targeted high places, not holes in the ground.
AAFish
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 2:02 p.m.
Why am I not surprised that there would be some sophomoric posts griping about the game's being called because of "mere" thunderstorms. Do you folks have any idea of what lightning can do? Here's a hint: it can kill you. Actually, the majority of people struck by lightning do survive the strike, but in many cases, they're never the same again, either physically or mentally. Come to think of it, it appears that some of the posters here may have taken one lightning strike too many.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.
Do you think they would have called the game off if Michigan was losing 20-17? Or do you think they would have waited it out?
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 12:28 p.m.
curiously at the first delay I didn't see a drop of rain nor any wind at my house near Packard and Platt. Indeed it didn't even look like rain was in the offing. The second delay saw rain and lightening for me too. With respect to the calling off of the game my gut says Western got their pay check, Michigan got their win and that was the goal in both cases, fans weren't relevant. I say this because I highly doubt the game would have been called off if Michigan was losing 20-17.
rightmind250
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 12:04 a.m.
DonAZ, That defense is in trouble. Mattison made the decision to blitz every play because the line and the d'backs were getting manhandled. Thats against a mac team missing 3 starters on the o-line. Good call by Mattison. It resulted in some lucky bounces, otherwise WMU was giving UM all they could handle. Oh yeah, they were right when they said Carder was the best QB in Michigan. Denard still can't hit a pass with pressure on him. His receivers made him look adequate with some great catches.
DonAZ
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 12:26 a.m.
I'll agree the defense did not look dominating. But I'm not sure I'm ready to write the season off. I think a lot of that was first-game jitters. We'll see adjustments going into ND game. Personally I think Robinson looked okay ... again, first-game jitters. But he showed some pocket presence and some good throws. Also ... I'm 100% convinced opposing defenses have figured Robinson out. As I've said many times before, Robinson is fast but not quick. Get him boxed in and he *can't* escape. WMU had him boxed ... he didn't get off any runs. I think Borges has him on the right path to overcome what opposing defenses have figured out.
DonAZ
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 11:56 p.m.
A game called because of *rain?* ... what's become of football in this day and age? Michigan's defense did well ... not great, but did well. Michigan's offense did what it needed to do to keep too much pressure off the defense. Denard Robinson in the pocket shows promise.
A2comments
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 10:24 a.m.
Because of LIGHTNING and HIGH WINDS. Dangerous conditions for Fabs and players. How many deaths and injuries at outside events this summer, INCLUDING a tent at a Royal Oak event at the same time. Notre Dame game lasted over 5 hrs due to several delays.
DonAZ
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 12:28 a.m.
I'm actually pretty disappointed the game was called. It leads me to believe the PC namby-pambies have infiltrated college football. What's next? No tackles? Flags and flag football?
garrisondyer
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 12:18 a.m.
No kidding, Don! Call me a purist, but I'm a little miffed the game got called on account of a thunderstorm.