Ohio State senior defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) wrestles for a Michigan flag away from Michigan defensive back Rod Moore (9) following the Wolverines’ attempt to plant it in the ground. No. 2 Ohio State fell to Michigan 13-10 Saturday at Ohio Stadium. Credit: Sandra Fu | Photo Editor
Ohio State’s frustrations turned violent after an embarrassing, fourth straight loss to its rival Michigan Wolverines — one that is now costing both universities $100,000.
Instead of taking out its anger on Michigan during 60 minutes of football, Ohio State showed the most fight after the clock ran out. The result left some players and media representatives pepper sprayed by police, as well as the program facing criticism beyond what happened on the field.
“Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation,” Ohio State Police said in a Saturday X post. “During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games & will continue to investigate.”
The Big Ten Conference announced Sunday that it fined both Ohio State and Michigan $100,000 for the post-game scuffle and that it “considers this matter concluded.”
“The Big Ten Conference has determined that the actions of both teams following the Michigan-Ohio State football game on Saturday, November 30, 2024, violated the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy,” the conference said in a statement. “Not only did the actions of both teams violate fundamental elements of sportsmanship such as respect and civility, the nature of the incident also jeopardized the safety of participants and bystanders.”
Ohio State associate athletic director of communications Jerry Emig said the university respects the Big Ten Conference’s decision.
“What happened post-game yesterday was unfortunate,” Emig said in a statement. “Good sportsmanship is always important in everything we do at Ohio State. Moving forward, we will continue to examine and address our post-game protocols to ensure our student-athletes, coaches, visiting teams and staff safely exit the field.”
The game had been over for just minutes when Ohio State players, reeling with shock and disbelief, lined up facing the band in the south stands, arms linked for “Carmen Ohio” — just like they do after every game.
As the first bars of the alma mater began, defensive end Jack Sawyer appeared to hear commotion behind him as Michigan players ran toward midfield waving large maize-and-blue flags.
Their goal was none other than to plant the flags in the ’Shoe.
Sawyer turned around and sprinted to grab the flags as his teammates tried to hold him back.
But several other Ohio State players heard and saw what was happening, and they too abandoned Carmen Ohio for a full-out sprint to midfield to confront the Wolverines.
Both sides exchanged shoves as Sawyer ripped the flag off the pole and threw it to the ground. Cornerback Davison Igbinosun picked up the flag and began to walk away with it, but seconds later, a Michigan staffer tried to grab the flag back and was consequently shoved by multiple Buckeyes.
Sawyer, who was being held back by tight ends coach Keenan Bailey, screamed “They’re f****** planting the flag on our field again, bro! F*** that s***, man. F*** these guys. Planting a flag on our field, f*** you.”
As players continued to brawl, numerous law enforcement agencies attempted to take control and break up the fights. After limited success at diffusing the confrontation, officers dispensed pepper spray, impacting both team’s players and media members — including Lantern staffers.
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles dropped to the ground clutchingholding his eyes after the spray hit him. Ohio State staffers eventually helped him off the field.
Cornerback Jermaine Matthews Jr. was pulled off the field by what looked to be family members.
In his post-game press conference, head coach Ryan Day defended his players.
“These guys are looking to put a flag on our field and our guys weren’t going to let that happen,” he said. “I’ll find out exactly what happened, but this is our field. Certainly we’re embarrassed at the fact we lost the game, but there’s some prideful guys on this team that weren’t just going to let that happen.”
