Michigan
Remember When: That Time Woody Hayes Shredded Michigan Stadium’s Down Markers in 1971
The down markers stood no chance in Michigan Stadium back in 1971.
The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry has always been heated and given fans events that are remembered for years – and even decades – to come.
Fifty-four years ago, in front of a then-record crowd of 104,016, that was certainly the case. On November 21, 1971, the Buckeyes traveled to Ann Arbor for the third edition of the Ten Year War. Following a touchdown by Michigan’s Billy Taylor to give the Wolverines the lead and cap an 11-play, 72-yard drive, Ohio State trailed 10-7 with 2:07 remaining in the game.
Looking to secure a comeback win over its rival to close out a disappointing end to the season, OSU was driving and at midfield. Then the madness began.
Ohio State quarterback Don Lamka attempted a downfield pass to Dick Wakefield, but it was intercepted by Michigan’s Thom Darden at the Wolverines’ 32-yard line as the defensive back jumped over the OSU wide receiver’s back to secure the catch.
“(Michigan quarterback Larry) Cipa did a fine job, and that catch by Darden was one of the greatest I’ve ever seen. I don’t need to look at the films to know that,” Bo Schembechler said of the interception.
But Woody Hayes thought that the Wolverines should have been penalized for defensive pass interference, a flag that would have erased the interception and kept OSU’s drive going.
Hayes quickly went onto the field to argue the call, getting in the face of every referee that he could. That tantrum resulted in a 15-yard penalty, which made Hayes even more angry and disgruntled. After Ohio State coaches and players were eventually able to bring the head coach back to the sidelines, Hayes still couldn’t hold back his frustration with the no-call.
He grabbed one down marker, ripped it apart, and threw it onto the field. He then went over to the other down marker and did the same. Hayes was subsequently ejected from the game and suspended for one game.
The outburst and meltdown by Hayes, as described by The Plain Dealer:
Hayes put on a disgraceful performance in the closing seconds of the game. First, he raced on the field to protest a pass interference call which he thought should have been called on Michigan with 1:25 left at the Wolverine 32.
He argued long and hard with the referee, who marched off two consecutive 15-yard penalties. Hayes was so incensed that his players, with the aid of backfield coach George Chaump, finally encircled Woody and forcibly escorted him to the sidelines as he resisted every step of the way.
But Hayes was still raving mad. He grabbed the down marker which is used on the sidelines by the chain gang and ripped it to shreds. He flung its pieces onto the playing field. Then Hayes went for another pole, grabbing it from the official’s hands and throwing it to the ground.
The huge throng, now standing, was showering its vocal disapproval. When order was restored, the game proceeded and Michigan killed the final 42 seconds. As the final seconds ticked off, thousands of fans poured on the field to engulf the victorious Wolverines.
What precipitated Hayes’ shocking outburst was a pass from quarterback Don Lamka to end Dick Wakefield, which was intercepted by Thom Darden, senior from Sandusky.
Hayes evidently thought that Darden interfered with the play, but no one will ever know because Hayes refused to talk to the press after the game. Many scribes waited 50 minutes, but to no avail. There was no official or unofficial comment from Hayes.
For the first time in Hayes’ 21 years at Ohio State, the head coach didn’t talk to the media after the game.
Later, Hayes wrote to Michigan and offered to pay for the down markers that he destroyed at the end of that game, but the damage had already been done and the offer was declined by Michigan athletic director Don Canham.
The incident ended a 6-4 season for Ohio State, the worst of Woody Hayes’ final 12 seasons leading the Buckeyes.
Michigan
3 dead after vehicle collides with semitruck on Interstate 94 in Wayne County, Michigan State Police say
Three people are dead after a vehicle hit the back of a semitruck on Interstate 94 in Southeast Michigan late Friday, state officials said.
The Michigan State Police responded to the crash on eastbound I-94 near Michigan Avenue in Wayne County around 11:44 p.m. Investigators said the semitruck was stopped in traffic due to flooding when it was struck by the vehicle.
Three passengers in the vehicle that crashed into the semi died at the scene, according to the state law enforcement agency, and the driver was taken into custody.
The ages of the individuals involved in the collision have not yet been disclosed by officials.
As of Saturday afternoon, the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Michigan
What to know about cyclosporiasis as Michigan health officials investigate 300+ cases in outbreak
Over 300 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported within a week in Southeast Michigan, and Michigan health officials are investigating.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are actively investigating the potential source of the “large and growing outbreak” of cases confirmed in Monroe, Lenawee, Washtenaw, Wayne, Shiawassee, Jackson and Livingston counties.
Health officials also reported 24 cases across 11 other Michigan counties, including in the city of Detroit. Typically, Michigan only gets around 50 cases per year.
On July 1, MDHHS reported there were at least 170 cases. On Thursday, the number of cases jumped to at least 300.
Read more –> Michigan health officials warn of ‘large and growing outbreak’ of cyclosporiasis
The age range of individuals who were diagnosed with the illness ranges from 8 years old to 84 years old, with a median age of 41, according to MDHHS.
Health officials are working to determine the common exposure of the outbreak in Michigan.
Here’s what to know about cyclosporiasis:
What is cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a parasite and infects the small intestine.
Healthcare providers can diagnose the illness by testing a stool sample.
Signs and symptoms
If infected with cyclosporiasis, people may experience watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.
The illness can last from a few days to over a month if the illness is not treated. Symptoms could relapse.
The timeframe from becoming infected to becoming sick usually takes about one week but can range from two days to two weeks or more.
In the US, outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of fresh produce. People can get infected with Cyclospora more than once.
Anyone who experiences symptoms of cyclosporiasis should see their healthcare provider.
How it spreads
The illness can spread when people eat food or drink water that was contaminated with feces.
The CDC said it can take at least one or two weeks outside the body for Cyclospora to become infectious after passing in a bowel movement, making direct person-to-person transmission unlikely.
How to prevent cyclosporiasis
According to the CDC, people can prevent infection by avoiding food or water that may contain feces and by following food safety recommendations for safe preparation and storage.
The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables.
Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking. Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
Read more on prevention here.
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A shooting altercation between two groups of young people at a shopping mall in Dearborn, Michigan, left two people dead and a third injured over what is typically the most violent weekend of the year in the US, police said.
The shooting occurred as the US began celebrating the Fourth of July, historically a holiday weekend that sees higher rates of gun violence across the country. In 2024, the Gun Violence Archive reported more than 500 shootings over Independence Day weekend.
The shooting at Fairlane Town Center on Friday sent mall patrons scrambling, including a person who was hit by a vehicle outside the mall while attempting to flee, said Issa Shahin, the Dearborn police chief.
People believed to be linked to the fight were being questioned at the police station, but no one was immediately taken into custody, he said.
Shahin said the altercation was not a random act: the two groups knew each other and after they came into contact at the mall a fight started that escalated into gunfire. Members of both groups had handguns, he said.
One of the victims died inside Fairlane Town Center and the other died at a nearby hospital. Details on the third person who was shot were not released.
The mall was evacuated after the shooting and police planned to keep it closed while they investigated.
A video posted to social media appeared to show people running from the shopping center after gunshots could be heard.
Fairlane Town Center has more than 125 stores and restaurants, according to its website.
Dearborn is a suburb of Detroit with a population of more than 100,000 people about nine miles west of Detroit.
Tyhrann Howard, Michigan state police specialist lieutenant, said the agency was assisting with the investigation and referred questions to the Dearborn police.
A person who answered the phone at the telephone number for mall security declined comment.
Associated Press contributed reporting
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