Big heights as Michigan is laid low

First things first: Appalachian State University is in Boone, N.C.

If you want to find it, just go to Winston-Salem and follow the sounds of celebration.

The Mountaineers beat No. 5 Michigan, 34-32, on Saturday, pulling off what could be the upset of the year in college football.

It’s certainly the biggest win by a team from the Football Championship Subdivision, which is what was formerly known as Division I-AA is being called this season. Heck, it could be the biggest upset in college football history. No I-AA team ever defeated a Division I-A (now Bowl Subdivision) top-25 team.

While those in Boone are popping champagne corks, the noise coming out of Ann Arbor, Mich. -- mostly calls for Coach Lloyd Carr’s job -- is equally loud.

It was Michigan’s first loss in a season opener since Notre Dame defeated the Wolverines in 1998 and the first opening-week loss at home since 1989. Michigan is 106-19-3 all time in season-opening games, and since 1928, only teams from major conferences have defeated the Wolverines on opening day.

So it should come as no surprise the Saturday evening quarterbacks were lighting up message boards at SackLloydCarr.com.

“I have defended Carr in the past. Now I have no idea why,” a poster going by the pseudonym “embarassedblue” wrote. “This has got to be the most pathetic, embarrassing loss in NCAA history. I can’t even show my face in public. . . . Fire Carr now! I don’t care who replaces him.”

It’s gotten so bad among Michigan fans that they are saying anything -- anything -- would be better than Carr coaching another game, including hiring John Cooper, the former coach at archrival Ohio State remembered mostly for his 2-10-1 record against Michigan.

And then there’s this from tagg0819: “When do the Lions play?”

Ouch!

Another ouch: Michigan paid Appalachian State $400,000 to take the game.

Blame it on . . . Bo?

One theory is that Michigan could be suffering from the Curse of the Bo-bino, noting that the Wolverines are 0-3 since the death of former Coach Bo Schembechler.

And it’s not a stretch to say that curse could extend to 0-6 with Michigan’s next three games -- against Oregon, Notre Dame and Penn State.

“When you have disappointment you can lay down and feel sorry for yourself, but in our case this schedule is about to get tougher,” Carr said. “We will see how we respond.”

And the band played on

Virginia Tech’s 17-7 victory over East Carolina was no ordinary opener.

This was the first time the Hokies had played since the April 16 massacre on campus that resulted in 32 shooting deaths, and many viewed the game as part of the healing process. About 66,000 fans packed Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., to take part.

“Everybody is still grieving,” said Mike Zell, 53, a 1977 Virginia Tech graduate at the game. “We’re moving on with our lives, but it’s still a grieving process.”

The game was preceded by a ceremony that thanked East Carolina for a $100,000 donation to the families of the victims. It included a tribute video, recognition of first responders, a moment of silence and a flyover by two F-15 fighter jets.

Then came blaring loud music -- Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” -- and the Virginia Tech team took the field as fans unleashed months of pent-up emotion in a roaring ovation.

“Man, right when ‘Sandman’ started playing and I saw everybody jumping around, I just got goose bumps all over my body and I couldn’t hold back my emotion,” said Xavier Adibi, a team captain. “I just turned back and told my teammates, ‘This is what we came here for. We’re playing for all 32 families. Just go out there and give it your all.’ ”

Emotional victory

Emotions were also running high at Indiana, where the school paid tribute to former coach Terry Hoeppner, who died in June of complications from a brain tumor.

The ceremony began with Hoeppner’s wife, Jane, their three children and four grandchildren walking to midfield to watch a 2 1/2 -minute video of some of Hoeppner’s most memorable moments at Indiana.

During the tribute, the student section chanted “Ter-ry Hoepp-ner” several times and many fans wore buttons with the late coach’s nickname, “Hep,” printed on a crimson football.

The Hoosiers followed with a 55-7 victory over Indiana State.

Hoeppner was diagnosed with brain cancer after the 2005 season. He had surgery in September 2006 but returned to coach the team three weeks later.

In June, the school announced he would be on medical leave this season. He died shortly thereafter.

Irish eyes are cryin’

Charlie Weis kept the name of his starting quarterback under his Golden Dome all week, indicating he might use two quarterbacks against Georgia Tech.

He used three, but Notre Dame lost, 33-3.

Demetrius Jones started and Evan Sharpley entered in the second quarter when Notre Dame fell behind, 16-0. Freshman Jimmy Clausen played later.

Jones completed one pass for four yards. Sharpley completed three of four passes for nine yards. Clausen was four for six for 34 yards.

Still winning

Cody Hawkins kept alive his unbeaten streak. The Colorado quarterback, son of Coach Dan Hawkins, led the Buffaloes to a 31-28 win over Colorado State.

The redshirt freshman was 59-0 at the youth and high school levels.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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peter.yoon@latimes.com

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Pouring it on

In the first quarter of its 75-7 win over Averett on Saturday, Mount Union set an NCAA record for most points scored in one quarter with 52. A look at the previous highs:

*--* 50

Alabama State vs. Prairie View

Oct. 26, 1991 49

Fresno State vs. New Mexico

Oct. 5, 1991 --

Portland State vs. Delaware

Nov. 8, 1980 --

Davidson vs. Furman

Sept. 27, 1969 --

Houston vs. Tulsa

Nov. 23, 1968 *--*

Los Angeles Times