Michigan's victory over Ohio State ends in brawl
A brawl between Michigan and Ohio State players broke out following the Wolverines' 13-10 upset over the Buckeyes on Saturday, with fists thrown and players falling to the ground in the melee.
The altercation seemingly started when Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore carried a flag onto the field, per WBNS-TV's Nicole Shearin. Moore was stopped by Ohio State players, who ripped the flag away and started fighting Moore.
A separate Michigan player planted the school's flag at Ohio Stadium's midfield, prompting Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer to steal and tear down the banner. Two Wolverine players and a photographer were seen rubbing their eyes after police used pepper spray to break up the fights, according to CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello.
At least 50 officers made a human barricade following the brawl, Marcello added. Ohio State assistant coaches and staff came off the field bloodied, ESPN's Jake Trotter reports.
"Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation," OSU police posted on X hours after the game. "During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games & will continue to investigate."
Ohio State coach Ryan Day defended his players' actions postgame.
"I don't know all the details of it, but those guys were looking to put a flag in our field, and our guys weren't going to let that happen," Day said. "Certainly, we're embarrassed about the loss, but we have some prideful guys, and we're not going to let that happen."
Saturday's result extended the Wolverines' streak to four consecutive wins over the Buckeyes. Michigan's latest victory came after kicker Dominic Zvada hit a field goal late in the fourth quarter. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard couldn't connect with his offense in the game's final seconds, resulting in a turnover on downs.
"For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game. It's bad for the game, it's bad for the sport, it's bad for college football," Michigan running back Kalel Mullings said.
"At the end of the day, some people gotta learn how to lose. You can't be fighting just because you lost a game. ... That's wrong. It's classless, in my opinion. People got to do better."