By Angelique S. Chengelis
The Detroit News
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Police used pepper spray to try to disperse the Michigan and Ohio State players who scuffled on the field after Michigan’s 13-10 victory on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
The melee began as Michigan players Raheem Anderson and Tavierre Dunlap planted the M flag in the middle of the Block O, as Michigan did after the 2022 victory at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State players, who had been with the band singing Carmen Ohio, a tradition after every home game, sprinted back toward midfield and the players began scuffling.
Multiple videos surfaced showing police spraying mace at Michigan and Ohio State players. The Ohio State police department released a statement on its X account.
“Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation,” the statement reads. “During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games & will continue to investigate.”
Michigan edge Josaiah Stewart posted on X (formerly Twitter): “got maced, beer thrown at my face hit by a fan all in 5 min what a state #2-0” (sic). Stewart later was asked if he was sprayed.
“Yeah. Pretty sure a lot of people did,” he said. “I was trying to break up a fight and next thing you know, my eyes started getting runny. I didn’t know what happened.”
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore blamed the emotions on both sides.
“I did see they had the flag and guys were waving it around and their guys charged us,” Moore said. “There’s emotion on both sides. It can’t happen. Rivalry games get heated, especially this one, it’s the biggest one in the country, so we gotta handle that one better. …
“The security was trying to control everything. They got both sides of guys trying to make sure we took care of them. We’ve got to do a better job of handling that as a group. I addressed it in the locker room, we’ll address it again. But that’s both sides.”
Ohio State coach Ryan Day said after the game he didn’t know all the details of what transpired.
“But I know those guys were looking to put a flag on our field and our guys weren’t going to let that happen,” Day said. “I’ll find out exactly what happened, but it’s our field. Certainly, we’re embarrassed with the fact we lost the game, but there are some prideful guys that weren’t just going to let that down.”
Sawyer was captured on video clearly outraged while an individual tried to hold him back and with Day looking on.
“They’re not (expletive) planting a flag on our (expletive) field again,” Sawyer yelled to the person holding him back.
Michigan quarterback Davis Warren said in the postgame news conference that he was taught in youth football that when there’s a fight on the field, walk away.
“We talked about it all week, being disciplined and letting our play on the field do the talking,” Warren said. “What happened at the end, I can’t speak for that. We’re going to win in your house, and we’re gonna plant the flag. Should have done something about it.”
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