MSU-Michigan Postgame Scuffle

[FloridaMan]

Video shows Michigan State’s Jacoby Windmon also involved in postgame incident

The starting linebacker was not among the four Spartans coach Mel Tucker suspended on Sunday.

www.mlive.com

From the article:
Windmon, an offseason transfer addition from UNLV, has started all eight games for the Spartans (3-5, 1-4 Big Ten), who play at No. 14 Illinois on Saturday. He started the first six games at defensive end and the last two at linebacker and is the first player in program history to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week three times in one season.

 

[oldman]

I’ve never been to Michigan’s football stadium, but based upon the premise any construction problem can be resolved with enough money, and considering the money Michigan makes from its football program, what stops them from constructing another access to the visiting locker room? I’m not asking for snark answers, I’m asking seriously.

 

[Mr. Roberts]

From the article:
Windmon, an offseason transfer addition from UNLV, has started all eight games for the Spartans (3-5, 1-4 Big Ten), who play at No. 14 Illinois on Saturday. He started the first six games at defensive end and the last two at linebacker and is the first player in program history to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week three times in one season.

OK, that is pretty clear. Mel? Mel?? Is this thing on?

 

[the juiceman cometh]

I’ve never been to Michigan’s football stadium, but based upon the premise any construction problem can be resolved with enough money, and considering the money Michigan makes from its football program, what stops them from constructing another access to the visiting locker room? I’m not asking for snark answers, I’m asking seriously.

It can probably be done. ND added a visitor's tunnel to their stadium. They made it extremely narrow, so teams pretty much have to go single file. Last season this was in the news because it prevented the Purdue marching band from using their famous big drum because it wouldn't fit. So I guess Michigan could do that and I'm sure opposing teams would complain about that too.

But the bigger question for me is, why should Michigan have to spend a ton of money and potentially alter the aesthetic of a historic stadium they take pride in, because players on other teams feel compelled to lash out violently? Maybe everyone just acts like responsible adults instead?

 

[Old.Edgy]

"Fourth: if there is a way to lessen the class warfare (9) that comes with college football, especially rivalries, it would be a good thing. Fans (and sometimes coaches and administrators) are tirelessly looking for evidence that their school has more class than the dirty bums on the other side of the state. It’s a universal dynamic that is probably as old as higher education itself, but Michigan-Michigan State is certainly fraught with it. (The gold-standard in tut-tutting a rival about who has more class is Duke-North Carolina basketball, but that’s a different story for a different day.)"

Michigan, Michigan State tunnel brawl - No excuses for incident - Sports Illustrated

Don’t blame the tunnel or the officials. Don’t say this is “boys will be boys.” What happened Saturday night at the Big House is a mandatory reflection point for college football.

www.si.com

Michigan's NO vote, kept Michigan State out of the B1G for a couple of years. Finally, the other schools got together and made Michigan succumb and OK the entry of MSU.... Lots of bad blood between these schools that is deeper than many think....

 

[Serious Late]

I only had one thought at the end of this game... Harbaugh knows the spread. As sports gambling has blown up, coaches have seen the need to make donors happy in new ways. There are examples all over college football the last few years.

 

[aaeismacgychel]

From the article:
Windmon, an offseason transfer addition from UNLV, has started all eight games for the Spartans (3-5, 1-4 Big Ten), who play at No. 14 Illinois on Saturday. He started the first six games at defensive end and the last two at linebacker and is the first player in program history to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week three times in one season.

I was going to say that #4 for sure needs to be suspended as well. He was holding the Michigan player to keep him from defending himself as #4's teammate, #14 was beating him with his helmet. As well at the 12 second mark of the video there appears to be a 2nd MSU player who was holding down another Michigan player who briefly appears directly in front of #14 then goes offscreen a splitsecond before #14 started swinging his helmet. No idea who that player was. It also appears a Number 2_ was involved as well at the 17 second mark, but it is possible he was merely chirping. Will be interesting to see how many more are suspended

 

[aaeismacgychel]

One thing I will say for MSU to give them benefit of the doubt (whether or not they deserve it). When any major incident happens you won't necessarily have all the details, evidence, or interviews available to find all people who participated in that incident. The 4 they suspended were the most easily identifiable as committing assault and battery. It is possible as more video and evidence comes out they will suspend more and more, and it is certainly my hope they do that, as a player like #4 grasping a Michigan player so that his teammate can wail on him should certainly be suspended. That said, I would not be shocked at all if MSU decided to throw the four players they suspended to the wolves while trying to keep everyone else from being punished. MSU's history both with Larry Nassar and the 2015 basketball player alleged rape case showed an alleged willingness to go great lengths to cover up/dismiss felonious actions by their players and employees. So while I do hope they do what is right here, I'm not expecting them to. Because, let's be honest, they also could have easily dismissed those four players from the team instead of simply suspending them and put them in front of the school board for expulsion.

 

[Mr. Tibbs]

I’ve never been to Michigan’s football stadium, but based upon the premise any construction problem can be resolved with enough money, and considering the money Michigan makes from its football program, what stops them from constructing another access to the visiting locker room? I’m not asking for snark answers, I’m asking seriously.

something about sight lines, the water table , and an old bulldozer buried under the grass

 

[PIT_ILL]

I get the sentiment but I'm not blaming a tunnel for assault. It's all on the players....

The tunnel is a contributing factor but not the root cause absolutely.

 

[PIT_ILL]

Michigan knew there had been problems. James Franklin even pointed it out. Harbaugh and Michigan made fun of him. Michigan has a responsibility to provide a safe environment. They've failed multiple times.

Misdemeanor Assault Laws: Crimes and Penalties

States define and punish misdemeanor or simple assault crimes differently. Generally considered a violent crime, assault convictions may be used to enhance future se

www.criminaldefenselawyer.com

This actually brings up a good point. Doubt it will happen since it was a Michigan player that was attacked but I would think a court would find some liability on UM if there was a lawsuit.

 

[the juiceman cometh]

This actually brings up a good point. Doubt it will happen since it was a Michigan player that was attacked but I would think a court would find some liability on UM if there was a lawsuit.

I've actually defended personal injury cases and think it's a stretch. For one, the "dangerous condition" is a large tunnel that the injured player knew led to both locker rooms. And the injured player knew about the Penn St. incident. Google "open and obvious."

Also, the plaintiff would bring in all possible defendants, which would include Michigan State, the individual players, likley Michigan State coaches, and certainly whoever was running security (local police?). The jury (if it got to that point) would then allocate responsibility between all parties, who would pay their share of the award (I don't think Michigan has joint and several liability). What percentage do you think Michigan ends up getting, particularly with a jury located in the state of Michigan?

 

[sitka]

I've actually defended personal injury cases and think it's a stretch. For one, the "dangerous condition" is a large tunnel that the injured player knew led to both locker rooms. And the injured player knew about the Penn St. incident. Google "open and obvious."

Also, the plaintiff would bring in all possible defendants, which would include Michigan State, the individual players, likley Michigan State coaches, and certainly whoever was running security (local police?). The jury (if it got to that point) would then allocate responsibility between all parties, who would pay their share of the award (I don't think Michigan has joint and several liability). What percentage do you think Michigan ends up getting, particularly with a jury located in the state of Michigan?

why isn't Jacoby Windham being suspended?

 

[the juiceman cometh]

why isn't Jacoby Windham being suspended?

 

[willillini]

It can probably be done. ND added a visitor's tunnel to their stadium. They made it extremely narrow, so teams pretty much have to go single file. Last season this was in the news because it prevented the Purdue marching band from using their famous big drum because it wouldn't fit. So I guess Michigan could do that and I'm sure opposing teams would complain about that too.

But the bigger question for me is, why should Michigan have to spend a ton of money and potentially alter the aesthetic of a historic stadium they take pride in, because players on other teams feel compelled to lash out violently? Maybe everyone just acts like responsible adults instead?

No excuses for MSU behavior. there appears a lot more than 4 involved. But, There seems to be a recurring problem for many visitors. this isn't just a MSU problem.

 

[willillini]

again no excuses, but the video of the on field dust up also shows #1 from Michigan run ahead of his teammates with the MSU players
instead of waiting for the rest of the Michigan players. he was in a bad spot, particularly if he said anything.

 

[lstewart53x3]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1587231318345129985

 

[Gordon Shumway]

Thought it was a little ironic that the Michigan fight song was playing in the background during the brawl.....so does the band share some of the blame???

Yes they do. All Michigan band members should be jailed, and their instruments burned.

 

[Shane Walsh]

For anyone who is interested in more context regarding the tunnel, Google Maps has a street view that goes through it.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[Ander1345]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1587231318345129985

This is pretty huge and I wonder why it isn't getting more noise.

Guess they can't suspend their best player on D until further investigation(conveniently after the game this weekend) finds it.

 

[MoCoMdIllini]

This is pretty huge and I wonder why it isn't getting more noise.

Guess they can't suspend their best player on D until further investigation(conveniently after the game this weekend) finds it.

4 even put his helmet back on prior to throwing hands.

 

[Macho Man]

4 even put his helmet back on prior to throwing hands.

He was concerned he might get hurt before the big game.

 

[DaChief4ever]

NO suspension for Star LB Windmon MSU top player.....but look at tape?

Maize&BlueReview - New Video Shows Unpunished MSU Starter Heavily Involved In Tunnel Assault

More questions will arise in the aftermath of the scary incident in the tunnel at Michigan Stadium.

michigan.rivals.com

 

[CV Illini]

This is pretty huge and I wonder why it isn't getting more noise.

Guess they can't suspend their best player on D until further investigation(conveniently after the game this weekend) finds it.

This point exactly. He clearly threw down. It's not even questionable. But he's their best defensive player. So they are probably hoping the 4 suspensions satisfies the situation. I certainly hope it does not.

 

[illini0440]

I only had one thought at the end of this game... Harbaugh knows the spread. As sports gambling has blown up, coaches have seen the need to make donors happy in new ways. There are examples all over college football the last few years.

Wow.