Ohio State University Police have launched an immediate investigation into the shocking moment Michigan players were pepper-sprayed on the field after beating the Buckeyes.
Michigan’s huge upset win over Ohio State in college football’s Rivalry Week was marred by violent clashes, which led to police storming the field to try and break it up.
After the 13-10 Michigan win over the No. 2 Buckeyes, a group of Wolverines players planted their school flag on the field – considered a major sign of disrespect in college football – and Ohio State players physically confronted them.
In clips that quickly went viral on social media, officers can be seen deploying pepper spray into the air, after players begun swinging punches at each other in midfield.
Shortly after, Michigan players were seen holding onto each other on the sidelines, seemingly unable to see after the pepper spray got into their eyes.
In a statement posted to social media at 5pm EST, Ohio State University Police revealed than an urgent investigation had been launched, but blamed the pepper spray not only on its officers but also law enforcement from Michigan.
Two Michigan players squirt water into their eyes after they were pepper-sprayed on the field
Tensions boiled over in midfield following Michigan’s shock win over No 2 Ohio State
Michigan tight end Max Bredeson is helped off the field after being pepper-sprayed by cops
‘Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation,’ the statement read.
‘During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games & will continue to investigate.’
It was also confirmed shortly after the game that at least one officer was injured and transported to the hospital, though it is unclear whether that was due to the effects of pepper spray.
Video from WDTN’s Joey DeBerardino also clearly shows pepper spray being used by police, while Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde said ‘a lot’ of people on both teams had been pepper sprayed.
Michigan’s Kalell Mullings told Fox Sports after the game that Ohio State’s fighting was ‘classless.’
Michigan defensive end Chibi Anwunah is escorted off the field after being pepper sprayed
Davison Igbinosun of the Ohio State Buckeyes grabs a Michigan flag following his team’s defeat
‘For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game,’ he said. ‘It’s just bad for the sport, bad for college football.
‘But at the end of the day, some people gotta learn how to lose man. You can’t be fighting and stuff.’
Ohio State coach Ryan Day, meanwhile, stood by his players.
‘I don’t know all the details, but I know these guys were looking to put a flag on our field and we’re not going to let that happen,’ he told reporters.
Michigan coach Sherrone Moore was also asked about the concept of ‘losing gracefully.’
Michigan players riled Ohio State after trying to plant their flag into midfield at Ohio Stadium
‘We didn’t lose, we won, so I don’t know,’ he said.
Moore and other Michigan coaches could be seen trying to break up the fight
The Wolverines were 19.5-point underdogs but kicked a go-ahead field goal with 45 seconds remaining before forcing a turnover on downs and winning the game.
It’s the fourth straight year Ohio State has lost to Michigan.
And incredibly, it’s just the second time in the history of the rivalry that an unranked Michigan team beat a ranked Ohio State team on the road, per Fox Sports research.
