The Big Ten, after reviewing footage of Saturday's postgame fight between members of the Michigan and Michigan State football teams, has determined that additional action against the programs was not warranted.
Following Michigan's final kneel-down of a 24-17 win, Michigan State defensive lineman Anthony Jones and Michigan tight end Colston Loveland engaged in a scuffle, bringing both teams to the middle of the field as the clock expired. Video appeared to show Michigan running back Kalel Mullings and other Wolverines engaged with Michigan State personnel who were on the turf.
"Amidst the confrontation, student-athletes from both teams were on the ground and surrounded by so many individuals that both players were completely obscured from view," the Big Ten said in a statement Tuesday. "The video review was inconclusive as to whether individual discipline was appropriate for anyone in the immediate vicinity of the two players who were on the ground.
"While the confrontation was a disappointing conclusion to the contest, the conference appreciates the efforts made by staff from both teams, security personnel, and game officials to rapidly de-escalate the incident, as well as the responses by both head coaches. The Big Ten discussed the situation with both institutions and determined that no further action will be taken."
Michigan coach Sherrone Moore on Monday called the postgame skirmish "unacceptable." He said any potential discipline will be handled internally, adding, "That's not how we represent the University of Michigan, the block M or the winged helmet. So we'll take care of that. That will never happen again."
Asked specifically whether he saw Mullings kicking or stomping on someone from Michigan State, Moore said, "No. We'll handle it."
Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith said Monday that "we had a staff member that was in the fray of it and a player that was in the fray of it, and that's what we're hoping [the Big Ten] is looking into."
The incident occurred two years after the Michigan Stadium tunnel fight between Michigan State and Michigan players that resulted in criminal charges for seven MSU players, including felony assault for one. The Big Ten fined Michigan State $100,000 and issued an eight-game suspension on top of MSU's discipline for one Spartans player.
Smith was not coaching MSU in 2022 but said of his first road experience in the Michigan State-Michigan rivalry, "There's a genuine dislike. You could feel that from the get-go of pregame, from the crowd to the place and then sharing the tunnel, so that's unique in a rivalry."