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The Big Ten Conference on Sunday fined Ohio State and Michigan $100,000 each in the wake of a wild postgame skirmish that mirrored other ugly, unsportsmanlike endings across college football.
Moments after unranked Michigan stunned then-No. 2 Ohio State, 13-10 on Saturday, Wolverine players with the school’s flag converged at midfield of Ohio Stadium where they were met by Buckeyes who took offense to the visitors’ celebration.
Police had to use pepper spray to break up the melee. Big Ten Network reporter Stephanie Otey said she was among the bystanders hit with the irritant.
“Not only did the actions of both teams violate fundamental elements of sportsmanship such as respect and civility, the nature of the incident also jeopardized the safety of participants and bystanders,” according to a Big Ten statement.
The incident at OSU was among several that broke out Saturday when visiting teams scored victories over bitter rivals on enemy turf.
After Florida’s 31-11 win at Florida State, Gators players took their school flag to midfield of Doak Campbell Stadium, leading to a melee and a tense confrontation between UF and FSU coaches Billy Napier and Mike Norvell.
Napier said his players shouldn’t have celebrated in that manner, telling reporters after the game: “It’s embarrassing to me and it’s a distraction from a really well-played football game.”
A similar flag-planting brouhaha broke out in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, after NC State’s 35-30 win over the Tar Heels.
“We’re disappointed by the conduct of some members of our football programs at the conclusion of our game on Saturday at Kenan Stadium,” according to a joint statement by the schools’ athletic directors. “While the game was emotional and the Carolina-NC State rivalry is intense, we must always display good sportsmanship and represent our universities and Atlantic Coast Conference with respect. We will address this incident with our respective teams.”
After Arizona State won at rival Arizona, 49-7, Sun Devils defensive lineman Jacob Rich Kongaika used the school’s ceremonial pitchfork to stab Arizona’s midfield logo.
That led a brief a confrontation with Arizona’s Montana Lemonious-Craig who tried to grab the pitchfork away. Players from both teams rushed to midfield and appeared to be separated without any fists thrown.
The same couldn’t be said of ASU mascot Sparky the Sun Devil and Arizona’s Wilbur the Wildcat, who appeared to throw hands during brief sideline scuffle during the Territorial Cup game.
Senior Breaking News Reporter
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