RIP Earle Bruce
Passed this morning at 87. FWIW I met coach Bruce several years ago when I got invited to play golf in the Scarlet & Grey golf classic. I was wearing a Michigan polo (so I was obviously loved by all the OSU players that day) and on one hole coach Bruce and I were waiting to tee off and we both were having a beer while we waited.
I told him "hey coach - I was at your last game rooting obviously for Michigan. You were down 14-0 and came back to win. I thought you got hosed by OSU so it didnt bother me as much that we ended up losing that day."
He looked at me for a second and then barked loudly. "IT WAS 13-0. I REMEMBER EVERY GOD DAMN PLAY OF THAT GAME." Then he stopped for a second and said softly "you know - Bo told me that was the only game he didnt mind losing to OSU. I've never forgotten that."
He was our rival but I respected the hell out of him. RIP coach Bruce - say hi to Bo for us today.
What a story, and a memorable game that was. RIP to a great coach and great rival.
As Bo said, we love ohio state, but we should always respect and take care of them.
After all, the only people who just understand this rivalry more than us, is them.
didn't really mind the loss that day. MSU had already won the league and it was kind of cool watching the players carry him off on their shoulders. They - the buckeyes - showed a lot of heart that day. Wasn't nearly that bad when we knew we were going to win our share.