College Football World Reacts to Spartans-Wolverines Tunnel Altercation
Rivalry games are inherently emotional, and sometimes that emotion boils over off the field.
Such a situation occurred in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Saturday night following Michigan’s 29-7 win over intrastate rival Michigan State. Several Spartans players were filmed attacking a Wolverines player in the tunnel to the locker rooms at Michigan Stadium, and police and the Big Ten are investigating the incident.
It’s the second altercation this month inside the stadium’s tunnel, following a heated moment at halftime of the Penn State-Michigan game on Oct. 15. Nittany Lions coach James Franklin called it “a problem” that both teams use the same tunnel to reach the locker rooms at Michigan Stadium.
Below is a sampling of reactions from the college football world to Saturday’s incident at the Big House.
A scuffle broke out in the tunnel after Michigan beat Michigan State
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 30, 2022
(via @mattcharboneau) pic.twitter.com/aqsUeoWKjp
I'm told by eyewitnesses that one Michigan player was walking up the tunnel and jumped by an MSU player. 6-7 MSU players were kicking the Michigan player while he was down, I'm told.
— Isaiah Hole (@isaiahhole) October 30, 2022
Michigan Stadium staffers told me they had extra security in place specifically for the tunnel during and after this game. Where were they?! https://t.co/EWWqweo5lN
— Molly McGrath (@MollyAMcGrath) October 30, 2022
Complete trash from Michigan State. Should be embarrassed by this entire sorry excuse for a season. Itayvion Brown contributes basically nothing on the field but is willing to fight in the tunnel. 🗑️🗑️🗑️ https://t.co/H6ZE1RsCGb
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) October 30, 2022
There was an incident in the tunnel after Michigan's rivalry win over Michigan State.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 30, 2022
Jim Harbaugh and Warde Manuel addressed it in the postgame press conference. pic.twitter.com/sIZALUOH0N
For those asking, the Michigan player looks to be Ja'Den McBurrows. McBurrows, who suffered a torn ACL last December, did not appear in Michigan's first seven games, and I didn't seem him play tonight. Might be why he was in the tunnel "early," if that's the situation. https://t.co/c2rkXy1xto
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) October 30, 2022
A large group of Michigan State players attacking one Michigan player in the tunnel after the game. I just hate seeing stuff like this. Totally inexcusable. https://t.co/cOFoyr3ilU
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) October 30, 2022
Officials literally barricading the Michigan football team from getting off the field while MSU goes up the tunnel.
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) October 30, 2022
Looking to avoid another skirmish like last game vs Penn State. pic.twitter.com/cBSByhUrYB
James Franklin right now about the Michigan tunnel pic.twitter.com/mq4AI2Ex14
— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) October 30, 2022
Zero room for this. Suspensions for anyone involved. https://t.co/cY8FpPcIP9
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) October 30, 2022
Disturbing to say the least. https://t.co/1QoQAnsPLM
— Bob Wojnowski (@bobwojnowski) October 30, 2022
More CFB Coverage:
- SI’s Top 10: Tennessee Keeps Making Its Case
- Michigan’s Harbaugh, Manuel Address Tunnel Altercation
- Police, Big Ten Investigate Spartans-Wolverines Postgame Violence
Wolverine Digest: Classless Spartans Jump Michigan Player In Tunnel
For more Michigan coverage, visit Wolverine Digest.