There were some delays, but when the button was finally pressed the west grandstand at TCU's Amon Carter Stadium came down Sunday morning without a hitch.
The west grandstand collapsed like a loaf of bread falling in 45-degree slices, one after another, from north to south, in only a few seconds.
The noise level was expected to reach 120 decibels -- as loud as a thunderclap or a chain saw, according to some noise comparison charts. A short horn blast from the Frog Horn signaled that the implosion was imminent.
The upper level of the grandstand is coming down as part of a $105 million renovation. The entire project, which will involve rebuilding and expanding both sides of the stadium, is scheduled to be completed by May 2012.
Though the renovation will only be partly complete by the start of the 2011 football season, TCU plans to play at home next year while construction is under way.
The No.3-ranked Horned Frogs, who won the Mountain West Championship again this year, are likely to play No. 5-ranked Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl on Jan.1. The BCS will announce official bowl pairings Sunday night.
