No penalty from the Big Ten for the UM-MSU end-of-game scrimmage

East Lansing — The Big Ten will not discipline the athletes involved Saturday’s post-game brawl between the Michigan and Michigan State football teams.

The conference announced the decision in a statement released Tuesday.

“The Big Ten Conference has carefully reviewed the video footage of the event that occurred after Saturday’s football game between Michigan and Michigan State,” the statement read. “During the confrontation, student-athletes from both teams were lying on the ground and were surrounded by so many people that both players were completely invisible.

“The video review was inconclusive as to whether individual discipline was appropriate for anyone in the immediate vicinity of the two players on the ground. Although the confrontation was a disappointing end to the competition, the Conference appreciates the efforts made by both team personnel, security personnel and match officials to quickly de-escalate the incident, as well as the responses of both head coaches. The Big Ten has discussed the situation with both institutions and has determined that no further action will be taken.”

Postgame, helmet-to-helmet contact between Spartans defensive lineman Anthony Jones and Wolverines tight end Colston Loveland resulted in pushing and shoving from multiple players, including multiple Michigan players on the sideline. During the skirmish, Wolverines running back Kalel Mullings appeared to step on something — or someone — with his foot, although the exact landing of his foot couldn’t be seen in overhead video.

Monday, Michigan State athletics director Alan Haller called on the Big Ten to investigate the incident as part of its sports policy.

“This is a sportsmanship situation and the conference will look into it,” Haller said Monday. “And my wish is that the same standard that everyone holds themselves to, that they (Michigan) hold themselves to the same standard.”

The tunnel brawl between both teams in 2022 ended with Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit bringing charges against seven Spartan football players involved in a skirmish that led to a plea deal and a misdemeanor charge for former Michigan State linebacker Khary Crump. Haller reiterated Monday that he doesn’t want Saturday’s fight to rise to the level of criminal charges, as it did in 2022.

Michigan State coach Sherrone Moore said Monday that his team will handle the discipline internally. With the conference taking no action, Michigan State’s next step is unknown.

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@ConnorEaregood