Police investigate use of pepper spray in melee between Ohio State and Michigan

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A brawl broke out between Michigan and Ohio State on Saturday as the Wolverines planted their flag at midfield at the Horseshoe after defeating the second-ranked Buckeyes 13-10.

Police eventually used pepper spray to break up the altercation, which lasted about five minutes. Players and coaches from both sides were covered in blood from the crush and scrum. As the Wolverines gathered to celebrate on the Block O logo, several Ohio State players rushed over and struck. Michigan players fought back.

Both Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore and Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork were among those who tried to break up the numerous skirmishes that broke out. Eventually, several police officers intervened and attempted to form a line between the two teams.

Ohio State Police said in a statement that “officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an altercation on the field. During the altercation, several officers from Ohio and Michigan used pepper spray.” Ohio State Police said they are continuing to investigate the incident.

Buckeyes coach Ryan Day later accused Michigan of starting the scuffle by raising the flag.

“I don’t know all the details, but I know these guys want to plant a flag on our field and our guys weren’t going to let that happen,” Day said. “I’m going to find out exactly what happened. But that’s our area of ​​expertise and we’re definitely embarrassed that we lost the game, but there are some proud boys on this team who weren’t just going to let that happen.”

The Wolverines were underdogs by 20.5, the second-largest margin in the 1978 rivalry. But after a scoreless second half, Dominic Zvada hit a 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds left to give Michigan its fourth win in 1978 Episode series.

Wolverines All-American defensive tackle Mason Graham and Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer emphatically exchanged insults as the incident finally subsided, with several Michigan players waving goodbye to the Buckeyes as they finally walked away.

Kaleel Mullings, who rushed for 116 yards and scored the Wolverines’ only touchdown, called the Buckeyes “classless” for trying to fight afterward.

“When you have a great game like that, you hate to see something like that after the game,” he said. “It’s bad for the sport and it’s bad for college football, but at the end of the day, some people need to learn how to lose. You can’t fight and stuff just because you lost a game. All these fights – we’ve had 60 minutes, we’ve had 4 quarters to fight all this and now people want to talk and fight… people need to get better.