Champs
The whole CMU fanbase held its breath as Western Michigan was running around in the waning seconds of Tuesday's game.
Western completed lateral after lateral. It looked like the Broncos might have a chance to score and win the game. Finally, after making it all the way down to the CMU 35-yard line, the ball went out of bounds.
And then, as a whole, the CMU community let out a sigh of relief. The CMU football team edged out the Broncos 34-31.
Next up is the Mid-American Conference Championship game on Dec. 1 at Ford Field in Detroit. After that is the Chippewas' second consecutive bowl game.
The campus community is excited.
About 400 went to Finch Fieldhouse to watch the game on the big screen, while many bars were full of people. Some even braved the cold weather, and the bad timing of a Tuesday night game, and made the trip to Kalamazoo.
The football team gives CMU students, faculty and fans something to be proud of.
Coach Butch Jones talked about the importance of the "C" and the tradition it carried back in January at his introductory press conference. The tradition lives on.
The CMU faithful can wear their maroon and gold with pride.
And they can sport "2007 MAC West Champs" T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats.
Congratulations, CMU football team, on winning your second consecutive MAC West Division title. You deserved it.
You could have quit after the 44-14 thrashing you received at the hands of North Dakota State on Sept. 22. Many doubted you then. All the second-guessers on the Internet message boards said you were no good. Now they are saying how awesome you are.
You could have lost your confidence after giving up a whopping 70 points to Clemson. But you didn't.
You persevered.
And now you are champions again.
