The storied rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan took a dark turn on Saturday, as their much-anticipated matchup ended in chaos.
Both schools are now facing $100,000 fines from the Big 10 for violations of the conference’s sportsmanship policy, following a postgame brawl that involved players, coaches, and even law enforcement officers. What should have been a celebration of college football’s most iconic rivalry instead descended into an embarrassing melee, complete with pepper spray and police intervention.
A fight has broken out between Michigan and Ohio State after The Game pic.twitter.com/XPwdAjfYzN
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 30, 2024
The trouble began after Michigan’s triumphant win at Ohio Stadium, when Michigan players planted their school flag at midfield—a gesture considered the ultimate insult in college football. Predictably, Ohio State players took exception, leading to a heated exchange that quickly turned physical. Punches flew at midfield before tensions temporarily subsided.
But Michigan’s Derrick Moore reignited the conflict by planting another flag, prompting Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer to rip it out of the ground, sparking a second round of violence.
Law enforcement from both Ohio and Michigan attempted to separate the players, but the situation escalated. Officers resorted to pepper spray to break up the brawl, resulting in several Michigan players needing assistance to leave the field.
Reports also indicate that at least one officer required hospital treatment, although the specifics of their injuries remain unclear.
In addition to the fines, Ohio State Police are conducting an internal investigation into the deployment of pepper spray and the broader circumstances of the melee. Their statement acknowledged the involvement of multiple agencies, including Michigan law enforcement, in using pepper spray during the scuffle.
The incident at Ohio Stadium wasn’t an isolated case during Rivalry Week. Flag-planting stunts led to similar altercations at other games, including Florida vs. Florida State and North Carolina vs. UNC. Notably, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was praised for intervening to prevent his players from planting their flag after a victory over Texas A&M.
