LAS VEGAS – If Michigan beats Ohio State in Columbus in the future, don’t expect a repeat of the flag-planting that sparked a postgame fight after the 2024 game.
After last year’s 13-10 upset by the Wolverines, Michigan players grabbed UM flags and planted them at midfield of Ohio Stadium. Buckeye players didn’t take it well and tried to stop it. Security officers sprayed pepper spray to quell the scuffle.
“Oh, yeah, we definitely addressed it,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said July 24 at Big Ten media days.
“There’ll be no more flag planting. There’ll be no more grabbing the flag.”
Moore said he talked to his players about the protocol that will now follow victories.
“Go meet the band,” Moore said. “Go sing “(Hail to) the Victors,” and stay over there until the other team departs.
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That’s how we’ll operate. Shake hands after the game. Show sportsmanship. Be cordial.”
Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore said he got pepper-sprayed during the fight. So did a few Ohio State players, including Sonny Styles.
Moore acknowledged that he was one of the Michigan players who grabbed a UM flag. He said he intended to run around with the flag in celebration, not plant it. But he said he got knocked down and the flag was taken from him.
“Looking back on that, I’ve probably got two views on it,” Derrick Moore. “I could have done a better job as a leader of not letting it get out (of hand) like that and pretty much just celebrating with my teammates. But it’s like I feel that right there is pretty much why people come to Michigan or Ohio State. It’s because of rivalries and atmospheres like that.”
Michigan tight end/fullback Max Bredeson said he also got pepper-sprayed.
“That’s not part of what The Game is about,” he said. “I haven’t been to the other rivalry games, but I know that’s probably the most heated game in college football. But at the end of it, it’s still not supposed to happen like that.”
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Ohio State football beat writer Bill Rabinowitz can be reached at brabinowitz@dispatch.com or on bluesky at billrabinowitz@bsky.social.
