What it all means

Appalachian State 34, No. 5 Michigan 32.

Holy smokes.

Appalachian State, my alma mater, was the focus of all the Web pages and college football shows yesterday. It was THE story of the day, and will be THE story of the season. What does it mean to be an ASU grad right now? I'll try to sum up some thoughts (this might get long, so just bear with me).

Appalachian's two consecutive FCS (formerly Division I-AA) national championships are instantly justified in a world of big-time college football. In an ACC-minded state, there was teasing and trash talk about the implied level of competition ASU faced the last two seasons. Some was just good-natured ribbing, some was just ignorance. Any future prodding of Appalachian's "junior varsity championship" can be quickly rebuked with one simple phrase: 34-32.

Some national columnists were quick to rip apart Michigan. "Congrats to Appalachian, but Michigan ....." I watched the entire game, and the reason Appalachian won was because it completely outplayed (and outcoached) Michigan. That's not only my opinion - Michigan players Mike Hart and Jake Long said the exact same thing. Michigan, one of the most heralded football programs in the country, could not contain Appalachian's speed. This game was not given to the Mountaineers. They went into the Big House and took it.

When Michigan took the lead late in the game, most people - myself included - figured that was the end of the Mountaineers. But, as corny as this may sound, if Appalachian has proven anything over the past two years it's that the team knows how to win football games.

From now on, whenever a big upset in any sport appears like it has a chance of happening, Appalachian State will somehow be mentioned. When football teams all over the country - from middle school to high school to college - take the field against a much bigger, favored opponent, head coaches will use ASU as a motivational too. "If Appalachian can beat Michigan, then we can win, too."

Big-time programs will also use this game as a motivational tool to get players ready against a perceived weaker team. "If Appalachian State can beat Michigan, then this team can beat us, too."

A few more final thoughts:

One of the coolest things about the win was how many people were cheering for ASU. I've read comments by Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan State and Iowa fans all congratulating Appalachian.

I sent and received more than 150 text messages in a four-hour span.

One thing a lot of people don't remember - or know - was that ASU was undermanned in that game. Starting safety Titus Howard was suspended for a violation of team rules, and All-American center Scott Suttle sat out with an injury.

So many plays that had to be made, and so many players that made them. T.J. Courman making a nifty move on the sideline and gaining an extra 10 yards before going out of bounds on that last drive ... converted quarterback CoCo Hillary having the presence to NOT throw downfield on a called WR-pass on the last drive ... offensive guard Kerry Brown's three monster blocks that sent bigger linemen tumbling ... Brian Quick, dropping a sure touchdown pass, and then blocking a field goal moments later ... Leonard Love's interception ... Kevin Richardson gutting out 90 yards against a monster defensive line ...

I think most ASU alumni would not trade those two FCS national championships for anything. But there's no question the exposure the university will receive for this win dwarfs everything else.

Finally, out of every video I've seen, this one is by far my favorite.