The Big Ten has decided not to discipline anyone following the fight that broke out at the end of Michigan’s win over Michigan State on Saturday.
The confrontation occurred as Michigan was on its knees late in its 24-17 victory. Michigan State defensive lineman Anthony Jones and Colston Loveland went at it after Davis Warren took a knee, then many players on the Michigan sideline immediately rushed onto the field.
Here’s what happened if you haven’t seen it.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Big Ten said it was inconclusive in determining whether any players should be punished and that it appreciated the efforts made by some of those involved to break up the melee.
“The Big Ten Conference has carefully reviewed video of the incident that occurred at the conclusion of Saturday’s Michigan-Michigan State football game,” the conference said in a statement. “In the middle of the confrontation, student-athletes from both teams were on the ground and surrounded by so many individuals that both players were completely hidden. Video review could not determine whether individual discipline was appropriate for anyone in close proximity to the two players on the ground. Although the confrontation was a disappointing conclusion to the competition, the conference appreciates the efforts made by both team personnel, security personnel and game officials to quickly defuse the incident, as well as the responses of both head coaches . The Big Ten discussed the situation with both institutions and decided that no further action would be taken.
Michigan State had asked the conference to look into the brawl, which saw at least one Michigan State player fall to the ground.
“I told the team this was unacceptable, no matter what happened and how it started,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said after the game.
Loveland admitted he “got carried away” by his actions.
“I kind of got carried away at the end,” Loveland said. “We were just talking back and forth, pushing and shoving and stuff and that’s how the rivalry develops, just the heat of the moment after two losses, we really needed this (win), so we were kind of excited.”
The skirmish came two years after eight Michigan State players were suspended and seven were criminally charged for their roles in a postgame brawl in the Michigan Stadium tunnel. Michigan State players attacked two Michigan players. This confrontation included kicks, punches and a helmet throw.
Changes were made to the tunnel protocols after this game to ensure both teams were not in the tunnel at the same time. On Monday, Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith said his team was not going to forget what happened Saturday.
“We won’t forget Saturday night, I promise, okay?” Smith said.
