Hoosiers across the state watched the final minute of Super Bowl XLVI with their breaths held. Leaping to their feet and erupting into shouts as the buzzer sounded, Indiana cheered as the New York Giants and another Manning clenched the National Football Championship title.
Winning the Super Bowl in the final 57 seconds of the 4th quarter, the Giants added a fourth championship title to their résumé Sunday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Playing host to the biggest football game for the first time in history, Indianapolis entertained about 150,000 football fans this week in preparation of the big game.
Although everyone interested in watching the big game couldn't afford the $3,000 price tag, many Hoosiers chose to partake in the festivities at local bars and restaurants.
Michael Sloan, senior residential property major, said he was expecting Scotty's Brewhouse to be more crowded, but he said he wasn't disappointed with the atmosphere.
"It's different then what I expected; I thought it would be packed," Sloan said. "I thought it was going to be loaded to the point where it was shoulder to shoulder [and] loud."
Anthony Miranda, sophomore psychology major, watched the game at the Locker Room Grill & Pub with a group of friends. Mostly coming for the food and atmosphere of the restaurant, Miranda and his friends said they were rooting for the Giants, in anticipation of a win.
Having worked Super Bowl Sunday for the last four years, the Locker Room waiter Adam Turkette said although the venue was not packed with patrons during the big game, the scene would change as the game wrapped up.
"The crowds have become more of a dedication-type crowd," Turkette said. "We expect our local favorites, then later we'll get crazy. About an hour after the game when everyone decides, ‘I'm thirsty.'"
The scene at Scotty's in the Village showed a similar scene as the Locker Room, lacking wall-to-wall crowds as many expected.
Rooting for the Patriots, Sloan said he didn't understand the appeal to the Giants as a team.
"I really just don't want New York to win," he said. "I don't think they're as good as everyone else makes them out to be."
As for why everyone else was rooting for them, Sloan said he thought it was just the fact that Peyton Manning's brother Eli is a part of the Giants.
Having visited the Super Bowl Village, Sloan said it was encouraging to see many people outfitted in Colts attire, even though they weren't participating in the championship.
Several residence halls across campus hosted Super Bowl watch parties for students. Stocked with wings, chips and drinks, the watch party at DeHority Complex catered to about 40 students.
Attending DeHority's watch party for the third time, junior statistics major David Predajna said he was pleased with the party.
"Everyone here is basically rooting for the same team," he said. "Everyone wants to see the Patriots lose."
As the game came to a close, those watching at Scotty's leapt to their feet as the Giants won.
Cheering louder than most of the crowd, Matt Wilburn said he was glad to see the Giants win.
"I hate the Patriots. I loathe the Patriots," Wilburn said. "I am so glad that they came to Indianapolis and lost to Peyton Manning's little brother. I love it."
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