For a moment, as many of the 8,672 fans in attendance uncorked a Superior Dome-rattling roar when the Wildcats were introduced, it was possible to imagine where Northern Michigan University head football coach Bernie Anderson hopes to take this program.
It took a boost in the arm from a national broadcast by CBS College Sports carried statewide by FSN Detroit, and a little cajoling of area residents and students to "Pack the Place," but the rivals from Michigan Tech were in town and, for a half, the Dome was rocking.
This time, though, the Huskies got the best of the Wildcats. Tech was not going to make the short drive down to Marquette to play the blundering foe just to make NMU look good on TV. This was their time to shine, too, and they made the best of it with a 47-21 victory.
"I think it's great thrill, it's a great excitement," Anderson said of his team playing on television. "It's why you play college football, to have an opportunity for another great crowd on TV and recognition for the university. But we're not strong enough to stay in every game yet. That's part of the building process, and it is a process."
Make no mistake. NMU and Marquette came out winners, even if the Wildcats did not.
The broadcast began with a sweeping view of Marquette centered on the world's largest wooden dome, then quickly transitioned to the cheering inside the sellout arena.
With some of the best facilities in Division II sports, NMU looked, well, big time.
And when you can pull that off, it makes the task all the easier for recruiting players and students both.
NMU athletic director Ken Godfrey had the unfortunate job of standing watch over the Miner's Cup trophy on Northern's sidelines as the final seconds ticked off the clock. Then he slowly made his way to the 40-yard line where Michigan Tech's players stood celebrating and handed it over to the school that will be its home for the next year.
Still, rather than moping for the loss Godfrey beamed with the knowledge of just how big this moment was for the school.
"I think it was a tremendous experience for everybody on the team," he said. "The community came out. I can't speak highly enough of the student backing. It was tremendous. The game was not the outcome that we wanted, but Michigan Tech played a great game."
A lot of work went into putting the rivalry front and center for a television audience.
Godfrey said when Northern found out that a Division II football game would be featured, the university struggled to make sure its rivalry with Tech would be the one.
It almost didn't happen, but with help from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference commissioner Tom Brown and some others in the background, the Wildcats won the right to the broadcast a game where both NMU and MTU could take to the limelight.
"In some places, (our) alumni and Michigan Tech's watched the game together," Godfrey said. "We have to work together. We're two U.P. schools. They're a great group of people. I think working together, we can pull off a lot of things like this."
For those in the helmets and shoulder pads, the experience was a bit different than they are used to.
Cameras here. Cameras there. Sound dishes pointed at the huddle.
You'd think it would get distracting the first time it happened. NMU junior linebacker Nathan Yelk hardly noticed.
"You really don't think about it," he said. "A lot of people asked me, 'What's it going to be like playing on TV?' I don't know. It felt normal. It'll be cool to see the broadcast or something, but I think we'll just put this one behind us and move on to Ferris State."
Some day, Yelk will undoubtedly want to watch the tape. Some family members recorded it for him. But not yet, he said. Maybe as fuel, he said. But not yet.
As for the coach, that's exactly what he wants.
Don't be content. This was not the highlight of his players' playing career. Just a moment along the way.
And the Wildcats lost. To the rivals. On TV.
While NMU could celebrate, knowing in the big picture the day was a victory, the team in the trenches knows it has to get back to work today.
That is the only way to assure those 8,700 people come back game after game after game.
"Mark my words, the day's going to come when we win and we'll keep filling this place," Anderson said. "But we need to win.
"That day's coming."
Editor's note: Kurt Mensching welcomes reaction to his column by telephone to (906) 228-2500, ext. 252, or by e-mail at kmensching@miningjournal.net.