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Big Ten issues statement regarding Michigan State-Michigan scuffle
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Big Ten officials have reviewed the footage related to an end-of-game scuffle at the end of the Michigan State-Michigan game Saturday night. In a statement released on Tuesday, the league called the footage inconclusive and will not be handing out any discipline.
With Michigan leading, the Wolverines lined up in victory formation and snapped the ball for one final kneel-down to end the game. As the clock began running, an altercation between one Spartan defender and Michigan tight end Colston Loveland sparked a widespread melee.
Footage of the scrum later showed Michigan running back Kalel Mullings appearing to shove and kick toward the ground but a target was not immediately clear on the tape. At his Monday press conference, MSU head coach Jonathan Smith confirmed a Spartan player and assistant were caught in the middle of the scrum but could not confirm anything further.
According to the B1G’s statement, the video was “thoroughly reviewed” but claimed anything conclusive was “completely obscured from view.” The league also praised leaders from both programs for working quickly to de-escalate the situation.
Here is the full statement:
The Big Ten Conference thoroughly reviewed video of the incident that occurred at the conclusion of Saturday’s Michigan-Michigan State football game. Amidst the confrontation, student-athletes from both teams were on the ground and surrounded by so many individuals that both players were completely obscured from view. The video review was inconclusive as to whether individual discipline was appropriate for anyone in the immediate vicinity of the two players who were on the ground. While the confrontation was a disappointing conclusion to the contest, the Conference appreciates the efforts made by staff from both teams, security personnel, and game officials to rapidly de-escalate the incident, as well as the responses by both head coaches. The Big Ten discussed the situation with both institutions and determined that no further action will be taken.
Michigan coach Sherrone Moore would not address the incident further at his press conference, only calling it unacceptable and saying that further discipline would be handled internally.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.