As cross-state rivals, there is little love lost between Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, and that was evidenced again Saturday night during a post-game skirmish between the two football teams.
As reported by ESPN, the Big Ten Conference is investigating the bench-clearing confrontation that appeared to begin when Michigan State defensive lineman Anthony Jones and Michigan tight end Colston Loveland engaged in a scuffle following the Wolverines' final kneel-down that sealed their 24-17 victory. Video appeared to show Michigan running back Kalel Mullings and other Wolverines engaged with Michigan State personnel who were on the turf. According to CBS, video appeared to show Mullings making a stomping motion while surrounded by bodies but it's unclear what was on the ground near him.
As cross-state rivals, there is little love lost between Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, and that was evidenced again Saturday night during a post-game skirmish between the two football teams.
As reported by ESPN, the Big Ten Conference is investigating the bench-clearing confrontation that appeared to begin when Michigan State defensive lineman Anthony Jones and Michigan tight end Colston Loveland engaged in a scuffle following the Wolverines' final kneel-down that sealed their 24-17 victory. Video appeared to show Michigan running back Kalel Mullings and other Wolverines engaged with Michigan State personnel who were on the turf. According to CBS, video appeared to show Mullings making a stomping motion while surrounded by bodies but it's unclear what was on the ground near him.
"I haven't thoroughly looked at every angle and all of that," Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith said Monday, as reported by ESPN. "It was a lot of bodies out there. ... Yes, we had a staff member that was in the fray of it and a player that was in the fray of it, and that's what we're hoping [the Big Ten] is looking into."Â
In 2022, the two teams came to blows after exiting the field in Ann Arbor, a fight that led to physical changes to Michigan Stadium's seating and player tunnel. The incident resulted in criminal charges for seven MSU players, including felony assault for one. The Big Ten fined Michigan State $100,000 and issued an eight-game suspension on top of MSU's discipline for one Spartans player.
Related: Michigan to Remove Stadium Seats, Expand Tunnel After Safety Review
Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller has requested that the Big Ten review what happened in the latest post-game confrontation between the teams.
"I was out on the field immediately," Haller said Monday, according to CBS. "I didn't see any of the things that I've since seen on videotape. I did call the commissioner (Tony Petitti) immediately after the game. I thought the sportsmanship policy should be applied. I requested that the Big Ten look at this.
"I do believe we had a staffer and a player in the scrum. I'm waiting on the conference to look at that and they tell me what they saw."
ESPN reported that Michigan coach Sherrone Moore on Monday called the postgame skirmish "unacceptable." He said any potential discipline will be handled internally, adding, "That's not how we represent the University of Michigan, the block M or the winged helmet. So we'll take care of that. That will never happen again."
