Homecoming 2009 - Iowa v Michigan

For some reason when Michigan comes to Iowa City for a football game, the attention is unmatched. There is a special feeling in the air that doesn't associate with Ohio State or Iowa State. Perhaps it goes back to the classic battle of #1 v #2 in 1985 where the Hawkeyes won 12-10 on a Rob Houghtlin field goal with :02 to play.

This year's game was not only Homecoming, but it was also one of the few prime time contests in the History of Kinnick Stadium. It was also televised to a national television audience on ABC. Tickets for the game were going for over $300. A capacity crowd showed up on an October night that felt more like late November. Temperatures at kick-off was 30 degrees with a 24 degree wind chill.

Here the Iowa Video Staff takes a moment for a photo with ABC's lead College Football Play by Play man, Brent Musberger.
Saturday Night College Football on ABC means something special. Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit, the network's elite crew, was on hand.

A tradition that began less than ten years ago is the University of Iowa Alumni Band performing the pre-game routine. It is much like riding a bicycle for most of these aging performers as the show hasn't changed much over the last 25 years.

Michigan Video Coordinator, Phil Bromley (front center) and XOS Employees Joe Marinaro (back center) and John Mills (right) join me in the booth. Phil types in statistical information for the Wolverines while his assistant Kevin shoots the wide angle. Joe and John were in town to observe the in-game work flow, but most importantly to watch Joe's alma mater (Michigan) battle the Hawkeyes.

Amid a "BlackOut," the Hawkeyes take the field.



The team enters to AC/DC's "Back in Black." This has become a staple of the Kinnick Stadium experience.

Oklahoma Advances over Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech played #1 seed Oklahoma tough for most of the game, but was no match for the Sooners falling 69-50. Oklahoma moves on in the Oklahoma regional and will most likely advance to St. Louis and the final four.

Close to 1,500 showed up for the 2nd round contest in a site where host Iowa fell victim to the Yellow Jackets on Sunday night. There were many concerns of the attendance, but Oklahoma was well represented as well as Iowa fans who came to support women's college basketball.

Having two other teams play allowed for different customs, traditions and songs in Carver Hawkeye Arena. Shown here is an example of the difference between Iowa Basketball and what would be found at schools such as this one in Atlanta. The Georgia Tech Gold Rush performed at half time to AC/DC's "Shook Me All Night Long." Songs and routines such as this most likely would not be acceptable in Carver Hawkeye Arena.