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Looking back at the 2024 Ohio State-Michigan football postgame brawl
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- Looking back at the 2024 Ohio State-Michigan football postgame brawl
In 2024, after Michigan defeated the No. 2 Ohio State for the fourth straight year, a fight broke out that would cost the universities $100,000 each and embroil them in a national debate about sportsmanship.
The fight ended up being one of the rivalry's most intense moments, and it followed the Buckeyes ' biggest upset loss in the series, as they fell 13-10 to the unranked Wolverines .
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In 2025, Ohio State faces Michigan in Ann Arbor on Nov. 29, attempting to break the four-game losing streak that has haunted Buckeye fans.
How the postgame incident unfolded:
After the game ended, OSU coach Ryan Day and Michigan coach Sherrone Moore shook hands at midfield.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day and Michigan coach Sherrone Moore shake hands at midfield following their 2024 matchup at Ohio Stadium.
The Buckeyes players and coaching staff gathered in front of the south stands for the postgame tradition of singing "Carmen Ohio ."
While the band was playing, Wolverines players headed to midfield to celebrate. The players had multiple Michigan flags with them and carried them into the center of the Block O logo at the 50-yard line.
Michigan Wolverines players celebrate at midfield just before pretending to plant a flag on the field.
The Wolverines mimed planting their flag in the turf as OSU players approached. Police officers and some others appeared to attempt to hold the OSU players back but were unsuccessful.
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A chaotic scuffle involving multiple players ensued. After about 30 seconds, these skirmishes were broken up. Members of both teams continued to mill about.
There were about 30 seconds of relative calm, but a Wolverines player was still parading the large Michigan flag around the field.
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer grabbed the flag and ripped it away as the crowd at Ohio Stadium cheered.
Jack Sawyer throws the captured Michigan flag.
This led to more fighting.
But it wasn't long befpre staff for both teams and a large number of officers managed to get between the two teams.
Linebackers coach James Laurinaitis pulls defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) out of the melee.
Amid this second wave of fighting, some officers deployed pepper spray .
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Officers were present from multiple agencies, including the Ohio State University Police, University of Michigan Police and Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
A University of Michigan police officer deploys pepper spray as Michigan and Ohio State players fight following their game on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Michigan won 13-10.
In videos and photos reviewed after the incident, a Michigan officer is seen directing pepper spray at OSU players, and then a Franklin County Sheriff's deputy sprayed into the air toward Michigan players. Players were told to get back.
The two teams finally returned to their locker rooms.
The whole incident lasted less than four minutes.
The original reporting of this story is from Dispatch reporters Sheridan Hendrix and Jordan Laird.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Recapping the 2024 Ohio State-Michigan football postgame brawl
