COLUMBUS, Ohio — After Michigan football upset Ohio State, 13-10, the Wolverines ran over to the section where their band, families and cheer team were. After a few moments, they emerged with the Block M flag and headed for midfield to plant it for the second time in three years in The Shoe.
But Ohio State players weren’t having it, and they rushed the collected Michigan players. Multiple fights broke out and the police presence expanded. However, as we saw having been on the field, police acted aggressively, not only pepper spraying players from the teams, but also reporters nearby, and even pushing Michigan players that were well away from the fight.
The Ohio State police released a statement and they intend to investigate.
Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation. During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games & will continue to investigate.
— OSU Police (@OSUPOLICE) Nov. 30, 2024
After the game, Michigan coach Sherrone Moore immediately addressed the situation, saying he wished his players would have abstained from bringing the flag to midfield.
“It was emotions on both sides,” Moore said. “On our guys, I didn’t see they had the flag, and guys were waving it around, and their guys charged us. So it was 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 better.”