Letters

Upset Special

Only four pages on Appalachian State's glorious defeat (Silence in the Big House, Sept. 10) of the hated Wolverines? Clearly you've underestimated the depth of schadenfreude we Michigan haters possess. You could have dedicated a special issue to that game, and I would have read it cover to cover.
Shane Snoke, Hollywood

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As someone who was at the Appalachian State-- Michigan game, I can tell you that the result could have been much worse. Without a dropped touchdown pass and a field goal attempt off the right upright by the Mountaineers, Michigan would have been embarrassed even more.
Mo Talley, Conyers, Ga.

Some of us Appalachian State graduates don't see the Michigan loss as the huge upset everyone is making it out to be. Yes, it was unexpected and thrilling. But ASU was a two-time national I-AA champion that returned loaded with experienced players who had already won eight do-or-die playoff games in the last two years. I am sure that experience was a factor in this result.
David Lee, Taylorville, N.C.

Appalachian State's win over Michigan, instead of being regarded as some kind of miracle, should be a reminder that rankings are a bunch of hocus-pocus and that playoffs are the best way to determine a national champion. It's a shame ASU, as a lower-division school, wouldn't be included, as this Michigan fan would love to see them take on Ohio State in the first round.
Dave Evensen, Champaign, Ill.

I am a longtime Wolverines fan who finally made it to Michigan Stadium for the first time in my life, only to witness the biggest upset in team history. But it was almost worth it to see the awe and elation on the faces of the two ASU alumni seated in front of me, who were also first-timers to the Big House.
Michael Alward, Hamilton, Ont.

My thanks to Adam Sandler for his karmic contribution to the success of the Appalachian State football program. In his 2005 movie The Longest Yard he made an offhand comment about how Appalachian is a powder-puff team; since then the program has taken the I-AA championship twice in a row, and now it has defeated Michigan.
Margie Forrest, Wellington, Fla.

Randy Shannon

After reading Gary Smith's article on Miami's new head coach, Randy Shannon (Hiding in Plain Sight, Sept. 10), I am very proud to say that, while I am not a Hurricanes fan, I am now a Randy Shannon fan. Too often people feel the need to push their problems on others. Randy didn't, and now he has a Notre Dame fan rooting for his personal success. Good luck, Randy. God knows you deserve it.
Dave Sonkin, Babylon, N.Y.