ANN ARBOR, MI – As of early Tuesday morning, University of Michigan statistics were as follows:
No arrests, one championship win, and 17 fires all over Ann Arbor.
“It was great to see a good season finally lead to a championship,” said Emilio Biagioli, 20, a student at the University of Michigan.
It was just elbow room and the smell of fire as thousands of students rushed onto South University Avenue shortly after the Wolverines earned their first win on the field in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Roman Reilly, 13, said: “100% the best night of my life.”
Roman, who plans to become a Wolverine in the future, traveled from Grand Rapids with his father, Neil Reilly, 47, to watch the game at the Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor.
“I've never seen a night like this before,” said Neil Reilly, who spent two years at the university in the 1990s.
More than one group set off fireworks, and officials had to put out a street fire near Good Time Charley's, 1140 S. University Ave. In Ann Arbor. As students dispersed from South University Avenue to nearby house parties, car horns blared in equal measure in celebration and warning to those in the intersections.
While most students agreed that the win was “amazing,” others were more awestruck by the experience.
“I didn't know it would be this beautiful,” said student Sophie Grossman.
Rachel Sonnett, also a student, said she expects the Wolverines to win.
“But not that much,” she said.
University of Michigan students cheer after the team's second touchdown at a National Football League Championship viewing party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer at a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
A University of Michigan student displays her old 1992 Rose Bowl hat as students attend a viewing party for the college football national championship at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer at a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students attend a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer at a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer at a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer after the team's second touchdown at a National Football League Championship viewing party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer after the team's second touchdown at a National Football League Championship viewing party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer after the team's second touchdown at a National Football League Championship viewing party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students attend a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students stand at a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer at a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students attend a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer at a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer at a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer at a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer at a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer at a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students attend a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students take a selfie at a viewing party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students receive free commemorative T-shirts before the College Football Playoff National Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students receive free commemorative T-shirts before the College Football Playoff National Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer as they display their selfies on the video board at a National Football League Championship viewing party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students take a selfie at a viewing party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students attend a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer at a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students attend a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students attend a National Football League Championship Watch Party at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
Although only six fires were reported at about 11:45 p.m., that number had risen to 17 by 12:30 a.m., according to Mike Kennedy, Ann Arbor Fire Chief.
Kennedy said the department was anticipating more medical incidents, similar to home games.
“I'm glad no buildings or vehicles were burned,” Kennedy told MLive/The Ann Arbor News.
Ann Arbor Police reported no arrests as of approximately 12:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 9. South University Avenue reopened around 12:30 a.m. as well, police said.
“The fans celebrated the victory, but without major incidents,” said Chris Page, spokesman for the Ann Arbor Police Department.
For Derek Thomas, 21, the University of Michigan will always be the best school and the best football team. On his way across campus immediately after the win, he started repeating that.
“It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said.
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