Brawl Erupts at Ohio Stadium as Michigan Players Plant Flag
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Michigan players planted their team flag at midfield of Ohio Stadium on Saturday afternoon after a 13-10 win over No. 2 Ohio State, leading to a brawl between players from both teams with police attempting to separate the sides and pepper spray being used.
Incident Details
According to videos of the incident, including this video by Nexstar’s WCMH, Michigan players were gathering at midfield after time expired. With encouragement from teammates, offensive lineman Raheem Anderson and running back Terrence Dunlap planted the flag and were immediately met by Ohio State players, who had been with the band singing Carmen Ohio after suffering their fourth straight loss in the series.
Players and others began scuffling, with police attempting to separate the sides. A fight for control of the flag began, with Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer appearing to rip it from its pole and throw it to the field. Cornerback Davison Igbinosun collected it and attempted to walk away with it before a person in Michigan gear went to reclaim it, leading to more scuffling.
Reactions and Aftermath
Michigan defensive end Josaiah Stewart described the scene: “We planted the flag. Next thing you know, everybody’s getting rushed. They had their whole team there, so there was a lot of them. Next thing you know, we’re all getting pepper-sprayed.”
Television footage showed Michigan players Tavierre Dunlap and Jason Hewlett wiping their eyes while at least one person on the sideline from WCMH was affected by it. One Ohio State police officer was injured and taken to a hospital, the university confirmed.
Investigation and Potential Discipline
Ohio State said its police department would lead the investigation into the incident. There was no immediate comment from the Big Ten, which could issue discipline such as player suspensions. Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork declined to comment on the incident.
Big Ten and Playoff Scenarios
Ohio State dropped to 10-2 and is out of the running for a spot in the Big Ten championship game, which will take place next Saturday in Indianapolis between No. 1 Oregon and No. 4 Penn State. The Buckeyes remain in strong contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff, the first year it has been expanded to include 12 teams. The bracket will be revealed on Dec. 8, with Ohio State’s next game likely to be in the first round of the playoff on Dec. 20 or 21, perhaps back at Ohio Stadium.
Michigan improved to 7-5 and will next play in a nonplayoff bowl game.
Conclusion
The brawl between Michigan and Ohio State players at Ohio Stadium will likely be a topic of discussion for weeks to come. The incident highlights the intensity and passion of college football rivalries, but also raises concerns about player safety and sportsmanship.
FAQs
Q: What sparked the brawl between Michigan and Ohio State players?
A: Michigan players planted their team flag at midfield, leading to a confrontation with Ohio State players.
Q: Were any players injured in the brawl?
A: Yes, one Ohio State police officer was injured and taken to a hospital.
Q: Will there be discipline for the players involved in the brawl?
A: The Big Ten could issue discipline such as player suspensions, but no decision has been made yet.
Q: What are the implications for Ohio State’s playoff chances?
A: Ohio State remains in strong contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff, but their loss to Michigan drops them out of the running for the Big Ten championship game.
