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Michigan State AD Alan Haller calls for B1G review of end-of-game scuffle vs. Michigan
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller has called on the Big Ten to investigate an end-of-game scuffle that occurred at the end of the game against Michigan inside Michigan Stadium.
Following the final snap of the game, things appeared to escalate when Colston Loveland got in the face of a Spartan player. The Michigan State defender responded by grabbing Loveland’s helmet, and a widespread melee occurred.
Later, videos on social media began to surface of the scuffle with actions of Michigan running back Kalel Mullings of particular interest. Mullings can be seen on the video appearing to push or kick at someone on the ground but it is unclear who that individual was.
Things got NASTY between Michigan and Michigan State pic.twitter.com/ahFtaPHZxS
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) October 27, 2024
At his weekly press conference, head coach Jonathan Smith said Michigan State has not seen a full angle of the incident but did confirm the Spartans had an assistant and a player trapped in the middle of the scrum. AD Haller also accompanied Smith to the press conference to comment on the situation.
“I haven’t thoroughly look at every angle. It was a lot of bodies out there. Learning yesterday, yes we did have a staff member that was in the fray of it and a player in the fray of it,” said Smith.
Smith on who was at the bottom of the scuffle, when it appeared that Kalel Mullings might have been kicking a downed player or staff member:
“I haven’t thoroughly look at every angle. It was a lot of bodies out there. Learning yesterday, yes we did have a staff member that was…
— Jim Comparoni (@JimComparoni) October 28, 2024
As for Haller, he declined a desire to press criminal charges in the matter, something Michigan did against Spartan players after a fight broke out in the Michigan Stadium tunnel 2 years ago. However, Haller does want all parties held to the same standard, and he has spoken with the Big Ten office about a review of the matter.
“This is a sportsmanship policy situation and the conference will look at it. And it’s my wish that the same standard that everyone’s held to, that (U-M) be held to the same standard,” Hallar claimed. “But I do not believe that incident or this incident is a criminal situation.”
Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith says athletic director Alan Haller has been in contact with the Big Ten about the postgame fight at Michigan Stadium.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) October 28, 2024
(2/2) Haller: “This is a sportsmanship policy situation and the conference will look at it. And it’s my wish that the same standard that everyone’s held to, that (U-M) be held to the same standard. But I do not believe that incident or this incident is a criminal situation.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 28, 2024
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore addressed the matter at his weekly press conference but did not have much to comment publicly. He did call it “unacceptable” but also said any further discipline will be handled internally.
Michigan HC Sherrone Moore opens his press conference by repeating his postgame message: scuffle after game was “unacceptable” and “it won’t happen again.”
Said he has not hear from Big Ten office, when asked if there will be suspensions he said it will be handled “internally”. pic.twitter.com/UKVhH93WQV
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) October 28, 2024
We will see what the B1G has to say on the matter, but yet another fiasco for the bitter in-state rivals.
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.