Michigan running back Donovan Edwards teases linebacker Junior Colson for making confetti angels on the artificial turf of Lucas Oil Stadium. “What a loser!” Edwards says, before deciding to join him. With “Mr. Brightside” playing over the speakers, the Michigan Wolverines celebrated their third straight Big Ten football championship, a 26-0 shutout over Iowa, late Saturday night.
Players swarm the poor staffer carrying a crate of championship shirts and hats. “Let me get one!” a few shout.Breeon Ishmail, a freshman defensive end, asks this writer for help tugging his shirt over his shoulder pads. A cheerleader yells towards the stage being constructed for the trophy ceremony: “Where’s Tony? I want to see Tony!” a reference to the Big Ten commissioner who’s become Michigan’s public enemy No. 1 in his first football season on the job.
So many Wolverines have their phones in hand, scrolling through texts or social media, snapping selfies or quick videos. They keep them in their lockers during games, tight end A.J. Barner says, but somehow had time to retrieve them and return to the field.
Zinter, not Harbaugh, who accepts the championship trophy from commissioner Tony Petitti, the man responsible for Harbaugh’s three-game suspension to close the regular season. Michigan fans unleash a chorus of boos on Petitti normally reserved for the Buckeyes. (Former Buckeye Archie Griffin, who presented Mike Sainristil with the game’s MVP trophy, was also heartily booed.) Those boos turn to cheers as soon as Zinter raises the trophy above his head. Off the stage, J.J. McCarthy spots Santa Ono, and two of the most popular figures on campus — the quarterback and the president — embrace. “My guy!” McCarthy says. Ono offers congratulations; McCarthy thanks him.
