College football was a fighting sport on rivalry Saturday.
Rivalry week games are always heated with growing tension and rivalry. However, the four annual meetings ended in duels between the rivals when the victorious road team attempted to plant a flag on their opponent’s home field to interrupt the victory.
Each battle was notable for different reasons. But they were all provoked by similar moods. The winners wanted to make a statement, while the losers wanted to protect their home turf and prevent further outrage.
Pepper spray used in the Michigan-Ohio State conflict
The shot she focused on the most came late in Michigan’s 13-10 win over Ohio State in Columbus. Wolverines players carried a corn flag with a block “M” to center field and slammed it into the Ohio Stadium turf. The Buckeyes took exception to the gesture and confronted their opponents, which resulted in several players pushing and shoving each other while throwing punches.
Unfortunately, the game between Michigan and Ohio State stood out because the coaches, security personnel and police got involved in the conflict. Ohio State Police used pepper spray to subdue the players, while several bystanders were also injured.
Ohio State University Police issued a statement on the social network said the matter is under investigation.
“After the game, police officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an altercation on the field,” the statement said. “During the altercation, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency on the game and will continue to investigate.”
NC State flag almost thrown in UNC bleachers
A similar brawl broke out after North Carolina State’s 35-30 win over North Carolina in Chapel Hill. After the Wolfpack bowl victory, NC State players brought the school’s red flag to midfield with the intention of planting it in the turf.
However, Tar Heels players stood up to their opponents to prevent them from planting the flag on the Kenan Memorial Stadium field. Pushing and shoving ensued quickly, with North Carolina’s Tylee Craft eventually taking the flag and attempting to throw it into the stands. Wolfpack players DK Kaufman and Jacarrius Peak poked Craft before the coaches entered the game.
UNC coach Mack Brown, coaching his final game with the Tar Heels after being fired earlier in the week, echoed Day’s remarks.
“I don’t know what ended up happening,” Brown said, via The Fayetteville Observer . “Someone said they tried to hang their flag on our field. Two years ago I said it was disrespectful.”
The battle between Florida and Florida State brings the coaches
The coaches were directly involved in the scrimmage after Florida defeated Florida State, 31-11. Gators defensive end George Gumbs Jr. plants a black Florida flag on the turf at FSU’s Doak Campbell Stadium. Florida State players, led by Jeremiah Byers and Julian Armell, ran to midfield to retrieve the flag, leading to a scrimmage between the two teams.
Seminoles coach Mike Norvell got his hands on the flag and tossed it aside. He then confronted Florida coach Billy Napier and let his counterpart know he didn’t like what happened.
“I told him what I thought. They won the game — they have a right to celebrate just like we have in previous years,” Norvell later said, via Tomahawk Nation. “If you want to do that, that’s your decision to have on the team — but I said him what I think.”
Forks, not flags plugged into the state of Arizona – Arizona
Flags weren’t the only object the victorious road team put up in Saturday’s rivalry game. After No. 16 Arizona State’s 49-7 win over Arizona, Sun Devils defensive back Jacob Rich Kongaika — who played his previous two seasons with the Wildcats — took his mascot’s pitchfork and slammed it into the logo at midfield at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona Montana wide receiver Lemonious-Craig ran to get the pitchforks off the grass and away from Kongaika. That brought in several other players from Arizona State to help out their teammate and protect the pitchforks.
After talking to journalistsWildcats running back Quali Conley said Kongaika’s actions were “disrespectful.”
“That’s our field. Just doing that was disrespectful,” Conley said. “I just feel like it wasn’t necessary.
He asked about the battle by PHNX SportsArizona State star Cam Skattebo said, “I didn’t know that happened, but it’s amazing.”