I’m old enough to remember the last time the University of Michigan visited Autzen Stadium. The Ducks won that 2003 game with Jason Fife at quarterback. They ended up being labeled as “Rich, Cool, and 4-0” on the cover of Sports Illustrated later that week. But the memory burned into my brain came on the field in the aftermath of that victory.
Phil Knight was standing beside me on the sideline as time expired in 2003. He walked onto the field. UO students and fans jumped the railings and sprinted past him. The Nike founder stopped, and just stood there, grinning.
Hold that thought.
On Saturday, it was Oregon 31, Michigan 7.
Nobody stormed the field in euphoria. Nobody marveled at how far the Ducks had come. It was a regular, old Big Ten whipping. The better team won the game. All that maize and blue tradition felt so far away. I doubt Sports Illustrated, or whatever that publication has become, noted the outcome as anything remarkable.
Kyle Whittingham’s handshake with Dan Lanning on the field after the game was a quick one. He looked like he had a plane to catch. The Wolverines coach looked Lanning in the eye, grabbed his hand for a blink, and spun toward the end zone tunnel. It all happened so fast that Lanning reached up to pat Whitt on the back — his customary move — but came up empty.