ANN ARBOR, MI – As of early Tuesday morning, the University of Michigan's statistics were as follows:
No arrests, one championship win and 17 fires throughout Ann Arbor.
“It was just great to see a good season finally lead to a championship,” said Emilio Biagioli, 20, a student at the University of Michigan.
There was nothing but freedom of movement and the smell of fire as thousands of students rushed toward South University Avenue shortly after the Wolverines earned their first win on the field in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
“Best night of my life, 100 percent,” said Roman Riley, 13.
Roman, who has plans to become a future Wolverine, traveled from Grand Rapids with father Neal Riley, 47, to watch the game at the Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor.
“I’ve never experienced a night like this,” said Neal Riley, who spent two years at the university in the 1990s.
More than one group set off fireworks and officers had to respond to a fire on the street near Good Time Charley's, 1140 S. University Ave. in Ann Arbor, pushing through. As students scattered from South University Avenue to nearby house parties, car horns sounded in equal measure in celebration and as a warning to those at intersections.
While most students could agree that the win was “amazing,” others were more amazed by the experience.
“I didn’t think it would feel this good,” said student Sophie Grossman.
Rachel Sonnett, also a student, said she expected the Wolverines to win.
“But not so much,” she said.
University of Michigan students cheer after the team's second touchdown at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
A University of Michigan student shows off her 1992 Rose Bowl hat as students attend a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students cheer at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students attend a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students cheer at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students cheer at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students cheer after the team's second touchdown at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer after the team's second touchdown at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer after the team's second touchdown at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students attend a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students pose at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students cheer at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students attend a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students cheer at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students cheer at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students cheer at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students cheer at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students cheer at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students attend a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students take a selfie at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students pick up free commemorative T-shirts before a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students pick up free commemorative T-shirts before a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students cheer as their selfie is shown on the video board at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, January 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students take a selfie at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
University of Michigan students attend a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students cheer at a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students attend a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
University of Michigan students attend a watch party for the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Crisler Center on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Ann Arbor.
Although only six fires were reported around 11:45 p.m., that number increased to 17 by 12:30 p.m., according to Ann Arbor Fire Department Chief Mike Kennedy.
The department expected more medical incidents, similar to those at home games, Kennedy said.
“I’m just glad no buildings or vehicles burned,” Kennedy told MLive/The Ann Arbor News.
Ann Arbor police reported no arrests as of Tuesday, January 9, at approximately 12:30 p.m. South University Avenue also reopened around 12:30 p.m., police said.
“The fans celebrated the victory, but there were no major incidents,” Ann Arbor police spokesman Chris Page said.
For Derek Thomas, 21, the University of Michigan will always be the best school and the best football team. And as he walked across campus immediately after the victory, he began chanting.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said.
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