To be honest, I am still trying to wrap my head around everything that happened in Detroit and in the last 2 months. To date myself, I've been going to Ohio games since my time as a student right after Grobe left. I attended a lot of games not just expecting to lose, but knowing we'd likely lose. My friends and I went to games to watch star players on the opposition when they came through Peden. Ben Roethlisberger was truly a man against boys out there (and he wasn't the only one).

Then came Frank. I'll never forget rushing over to Peden late (I actually had a Friday night graduate class at the time) after missing the kickoff return. I'd never seen that stadium with that kind of atmosphere. And when Byrum picked off that ball in OT, he returned it right at our section in the stands. My first trip to Detroit wasn't until '22 against Toledo, and I'd honestly say I didn't expect us to win without Rourke. Yes, we kept it a game, but it felt like we were fighting with a hand tied behind our back.

This year felt so different. Expectations were nada with all the portal departure, but this team really grew on me throughout the year. I saw a collective group that found a way to succeed almost every week in conference play. The season felt different, Detroit felt different. This was the year, this was the group, and this was the opponent. We hardly sat down in Ford Field, and it felt like a 3.5 hour party on our side, unleashing decades of frustration.

I know we lost Albin, and that's a gut punch after the high of the win, but that doesn't change the experience for me. He got us to the top of the hill. I couldn't be more proud of everyone in the program, top to bottom, for how this year played out. I am one proud Bobcat.

And let's not wait 56 years to do that again.

Excellent video. Places the emphasis squarely on the players and their tremendous accomplishment. That's where the focus belongs. Time to move on from the sideshow routine afterwards.

I watch the replay of the MAC champ game for at least the 4th time. I would like to know how it happened that we played so well, and Miami looked lost. Comments from experts welcome.

In my expert opinion it was because my wife and I had front row seats in Detroit and our fan vibes were able to reach the players.

For the rest of my days, I will remind myself of this epic beatdown.

I have been checking the MAC site about every other week to see if they have the MACC hat back in stock. I guess that ship sailed because it has never been anything but "Out of Stock."

Oh well. Not fitted anyway. I'll make my own version.

Sincerely,

38-3