The Big Ten has decided not to discipline anyone from the scuffle that broke out at the end of Michigan’s win over Michigan State on Saturday.
The confrontation happened as Michigan was kneeling out the clock at the end of its 24-17 victory. Michigan State defensive lineman Anthony Jones and Colston Loveland got into it after Davis Warren took a knee and then numerous players on the Michigan sideline immediately rushed onto the field.
Here’s what happened if you didn’t see it.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Big Ten said that it was inconclusive to determine if any players should be punished and that it appreciated efforts by some of those involved to break up the scrum.
“The Big Ten Conference thoroughly reviewed video of the incident that occurred at the conclusion of Saturday’s Michigan-Michigan State football game,” the conference said in a statement. “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 State had asked for the conference to review the scuffle, which saw at least one Michigan State player get pulled to the ground.
“I told the team it was unacceptable regardless of what happened and how it started,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said after the game.
Loveland admitted that he “got carried away” with his actions.
“I kind of got carried away there at the end,” Loveland said. “We were just talking back and forth kind of doing some shoving and stuff and that’s how the rivalry gets, just the heat of the moment coming off two losses, really needed this [win] so just kind of got excited.”
The skirmish happened two years after eight Michigan State players were suspended and seven were criminally charged for their role in a postgame fight in the tunnel at Michigan Stadium. Michigan State players had gone after two Michigan players. That confrontation included kicks, punches and a helmet throw.
Changes were made to the tunnel protocols after that game to ensure that both teams are not in the tunnel at the same time. On Monday, Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith said that his team was not going to forget what happened on Saturday.
“We will not forget Saturday night, I promise you that, OK?” Smith said.
