The Big Ten issued stiff penalties to the Michigan State Spartans Monday for the ugly post-game assault on Oct. 29 at Michigan Stadium.
In the incident, which happened in a tunnel leading to the locker rooms after the Michigan Wolverines’ 29-7 win, a group of Spartans players surrounded two Michigan players and beat them. Videos of the incident went viral on social media, resulting in criminal charges against seven MSU players, and the suspension of eight players.
The Big Ten released the results of its investigation Monday. The conference has fined Michigan State $100,000 for the incident. According to Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press, it’s the largest fine in Big Ten history, topping the $40,000 fine issued earlier this year to MSU basketball coach Juwan Howard for hitting a Wisconsin assistant coach.
In addition, the conference issued suspensions to seven players. Cornerback Khary Crump drew the harshest penalty, the four games already served under MSU’s self-imposed suspension, plus the first eight games of the 2023 season.
The conference also found the seven other players suspended by MSU after the incident completed their penalty. Those players are defensive end Itayvion “Tank” Brown, safeties Angelo Grose and Malcolm Jones, cornerback Justin White, linebacker Jacoby Windmon and defensive ends Brandon Wright and Zion Young.
The official statement from the Big Ten Conference may be found here: https://t.co/m6pJCfqAPy pic.twitter.com/92d31rLHzK
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) November 28, 2022
The investigation also issued a public reprimand to the University of Michigan, saying it did not meet Big Ten policy requiring “the conference member institution game host to provide adequate protection for personnel of both home and visiting teams when entering and leaving playing arenas.”
Further, the conference report stated, “Members of both teams did not represent the level of sportsmanship that is expected from the Big Ten Conference and its member institutions.”
The college football world reacted to the penalties with mixed feelings.
The fine imposed on Michigan State is hefty: $100,000. Not your standard-issue NCAA infractions ruling fine of $5k. Also the Michigan reprimand probably reflects some ongoing frustration with how the school has handled its tunnel entrance/exit procedures.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 28, 2022
Which have not been a problem in 100 years.
2022: Penn State Players start food fight with PB and J sandwiches.
2022: MSU players assault Michigan players leading to criminal charges.
Yes, let’s reprimand Michigan.
— Stephen (@nipsey) November 28, 2022
So MSU gets fined because Bush tore up our field, UM fails to provide proper security and safety and they get a verbal reprimand. Ugh.
— Amy Kraus (@kraus_amy) November 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/MattBellViolin/status/1597325339965128704
