Big Ten says no ‘further action will be taken’ against players involved in Michigan-Michigan Stat fight

The Big Ten won’t take any further action in response to a fight that broke out at the end of Michigan’s 24-17 win over rival Michigan State, the league announced Tuesday. 

The melee started as Wolverines quarterback Davis Warren took a knee with just under 30 seconds remaining. As he did, Michigan State defensive lineman Anthony Jones and Michigan tight end Colston Loveland began pushing and shoving. 

As their physical exchange continued, Wolverines players began flooding onto the field toward the two. From there, the fracas expanded to include several players from both teams before it simmered down.

“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 Big Ten’s statement said. “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.”

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore began his press conference Monday by apologizing for his team’s role in the incident and pledging that “we will address that internally.”

Michigan State’s leaders struck a less conciliatory tone. MSU athletic director Alan Haller requested that the Big Ten look into the fracas. The role that Michigan star running back Kalel Mullings may have played in the altercation has also been a focal point of Michigan State fan frustration with the incident. While some video footage appears to show Mullings stomping, the league ultimately decided against handing out punishment.

“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 league statement said.

Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith said Monday that the incident was something “you will not forget.”

“After experiencing that sucker, I will not forget that thing,” he said. “But we do gotta move on to a big-time opponent.”

Physical altercations between the teams are nothing new. In 2022, multiple players were involved in a post-game altercation in the locker room tunnel following Michigan’s 29-7 win over Michigan State. Then-Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters that “two of our players were assaulted.” The debacle led to increased security being placed in and around the tunnel at Michigan games. Eight Michigan State players were suspended by the school as a result of the incident.