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Michigan AD Warde Manuel releases statement on UM-MSU pre-game issue

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

A few hours after Michigan State University issued a statement regarding the pre-game scuffle between the Spartans and Wolverines in East Lansing, University of Michigan released its own.

Warde Manuel, Michigan’s athletic director, penned a statement regarding the incident and hopes that issues like this can be avoided in the future.

From Manuel:

I had a conversation on the field with Michigan State Athletic Director Bill Beekman prior to the game regarding the situation that occurred during pre-game warmups. My preference is to keep that conversation and any further discussions between us. I will work with our staff and the conference to see how this situation can be prevented from happening in the future. It is a great rivalry between two Michigan Universities, and the focus should remain on the game, the way it’s played and the final score.

Earlier Monday, Michigan State released a statement saying that Michigan players were permitted to use the field at Spartan Stadium, with the understanding they would have to leave for the Spartans’ pre-game walk. MSU claimed players and staffers refused to leave.

Manuel’s statement may be the end of the spat between the two schools from an administration standpoint, but Jim Harbaugh, Mark Dantonio, the players and fans will keep this thing going over the next 12 months.

Is it time for the 2019 matchup yet?

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB