Synopses & Reviews
On November 22, 2003, Michigan Stadium was bursting with over 112,000 people, officially the largest crowd to ever watch a football game on a college campus. The anticipation was palpable; the energy, intense. On this momentous day, the University of Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State University Buckeyes squared off for the one-hundredth time in "the Game"an annual contest so important that the conference championship, an invitation to the national championship game, and, most importantly, bragging rights for rabid fans were all on the lineonce again. This is a rivalry so primal that ESPN branded it the greatest in sports history. And it is a contest so memorable that it could never be labeled as "just another football game"it is a hundred-yard war.
In this vibrant account, Greg Emmanuel brings to life more than a century of bitter competition between the Buckeyes and the Wolverines. The 100-Yard War delves into the compelling history behind the legendary rivalry that began with the first UMOSU game in 1897. From celebrated games such as the "Snow Bowl" of 1950, the unbelievable upset of 1969, and the controversial 1010 tie of 1973 to the unforgettable matchups between two of the sports greatest (and most colorful) coaches, Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes, youll go behind the scenes as combatants on both sides relive the memories in their own words.
Almost the only thing greater than the animosity between these two teams is the subculture of fanaticism that surrounds it. The passion for "the Game" has frequently boiled over and, on occasion, the results have been dangerous and destructive. Emmanuel explores the fierce devotion of the fans who have repeatedly packed the huge stadiums in Ann Arbor and Columbus to witness college footballs most famous grudge match. From the campus pre-game parties to the post-game celebrations (and riots), youll see how, on one particular Saturday near the end of November, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and even lovers can find themselves enemies for a day.
Youll also experience the excitement and the tension of the 2003 season as the teams march toward the huge milestone of the one-hundredth game, described in thrilling detail from the coin toss to the final play. Youll be there as the players meet again on the field to the cheers and jeers of an enormous crowd . . . and as the fans, with their hearts in their throats, sing the fight songs and fervently hope for yet another victory.
Infused with the love of the game and the indomitable spirit of every Buckeye and Wolverine fan, The 100-Yard War is a testament to the legacy of every player who ever donned an Ohio State or Michigan jerseyand every person who ever cheered them on.
Synopsis
The complete history of what ESPN called the #1 sports rivalry of the century
For 100 games, the University of Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes have been packing stadiums in Ann Arbor and Columbus with rabid fans who come to witness college football s most famous grudge match. Since 1935, the UM-OSU contest has been the regular season climax for both teams, and 41 times it has decided the Big Ten championship. Now, in this colorful account, Greg Emmanuel brings to life more than a century of bitter competition, from celebrated games such as the " Snow Bowl" of 1950, the unbelievable upset of 1969, and the controversial 10-10 tie of 1973 to match-ups between great coaches like Michigan s Bo Schembechler and Ohio State s Woody Hayes. Released in plenty of time for the teams 101st meeting on November 20, 2004, this book will be required reading for the two schools 95,000 students and millions of alumni.
Greg Emmanuel (Brooklyn, NY) is the author of Extreme Encounters and has written for many magazines, including Esquire, GQ, ESPN: The Magazine, FHM, and Maxim.
Synopsis
ESPN called it the number one sports rivalry of the century. It transcends the years, the standings, and all other distractions. And thanks to the countless remarkable football games between Michigan and Ohio State--and hundreds of thousands of devoted alumni and followers--the rivalry is now an enormous cultural event. The 100-Yard War showcases two great football teams who want nothing more than to beat each other, celebrating their storied history and going behind the scenes with the players and the fans to reveal the bitterness, the passion, and the pride surrounding the Game.
""Emmanuel does a marvelous job of conveying not only the competition between the athletes but the less than ideal game conditions, the spirit of the marching bands and, in particular, the loyalty of classmates and family that go into making this a special competition.""
--Publishers Weekly
""A rough-and-tumble pop-culture look at the history of this storied game.""
--National Review Online
Synopsis
"A rough-and-tumble pop-culture look at the history of this storied game."
—National Review Online
The 100-Yard Warshowcases two great football teams who want nothing more than to beat each other, celebrating their storied history and going behind the scenes with the players and the fans to reveal the bitterness, the passion, and the pride surrounding the Game.
ESPN called it the number one sports rivalry of the century. It transcends the years, the standings, and all other distractions. And thanks to the countless remarkable football games between Michigan and Ohio State—and hundreds of thousands of devoted alumni and followers—the rivalry is now an enormous cultural event.
Synopsis
ESPN called it the number one sports rivalry of the century. It transcends the years, the standings, and all other distractions. And thanks to the countless remarkable football games between Michigan and Ohio Stateand hundreds of thousands of devoted alumni and followersthe rivalry is now an enormous cultural event. The 100-Yard War showcases two great football teams who want nothing more than to beat each other, celebrating their storied history and going behind the scenes with the players and the fans to reveal the bitterness, the passion, and the pride surrounding the Game.
"Emmanuel does a marvelous job of conveying not only the competition between the athletes but the less than ideal game conditions, the spirit of the marching bands and, in particular, the loyalty of classmates and family that go into making this a special competition."
Publishers Weekly
"A rough-and-tumble pop-culture look at the history of this storied game."
National Review Online
About the Author
GREG EMMANUEL is the author of Extreme Encounters: How It Feels to Be Drowned in Quicksand, Shredded by Piranhas, Swept Up in a Tornado, and Dozens of Other Unpleasant Experiences. He has written for ESPN the Magazine, GQ, Esquire, TV Guide, Time Out New York, FHM, Maxim, NYLON, and Stuff, as well as for MTV and VH1. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Table of Contents
1. Hate: The Early Years.
2. Born and Bred.
3. Cold War.
4. Two Men and a Rivalry.
5. Boys to Men.
6. Broken Hearts and Ballooning Wallets.
7. Go Bucks! Go Blue!
8. Countdown.
9. One Hundred.
10. Post-Game.
Appendix.
Notes.
Acknowledgments.
Index.