The 2024 college football “rivalry week” didn’t disappoint as numerous games across the country ended in upsets, altercations, and all-out brawls.
The day began with “The Game,” Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes, one of the most infamous rivalries in sports history. Number two ranked Ohio State was favored to win by 19 points, but after kicker Jayden Fielding missed two short-range field goals, they lost 13-10. Unranked Michigan took the fourth consecutive win in the series, then celebrated the upset by planting a flag on Ohio State’s 50-yard line. The Buckeyes took this personally, ripping the flag out and throwing it across the field. As Wolverines rushed to take it back, a melee ensued. With both teams out on the field and punches being thrown, coaches were having difficulty breaking up the brawl. Ultimately, police officers used pepper spray and then formed a wall between the teams to end the fighting. The NCAA fined both teams $100,000 for the altercation.
Saturday’s fighting continued as NC State Wolfpack outscored UNC Tarheels 35-30. With 1:51 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, UNC took the lead 30-29. But, down to the wire, NC State took the lead on a two-yard touchdown with only 25 seconds left in the game, gaining their fourth consecutive win in the series. Like Michigan, NC State celebrated the victory by planting a flag on UNC’s 50-yard line. Tarheel J.J. Jones thwarted the attempt, hurling the flag toward the sideline. When Wolfpack’s DJ Kaufman and Jacarrious Peak confronted Jones, punches were thrown and a brawl quickly followed. Coaches broke up the fight, and no officers became involved. Both schools were fined $25,000.
A similar scene unfolded as the number 15 Arizona State Sun Devils beat the unranked Arizona Wildcats 49-7. After the staggering defeat, Arizona State’s Jacob Kongaika, an Arizona transfer, planted a pitchfork in the middle of the field. As he was confronted by Arizona players, a brief scuffle ensued. However, coaches were able to quickly break it up. Arizona’s running back, Quali Conley, called Kongaika’s actions “uncalled for” and “disrespectful.”
Later in the day, the Florida Gators gained a 31-11 victory over the Florida State Seminoles, dominating with five fumble recoveries and eight sacks. As soon as the clock hit zero Gator George Gumbs ran to plant a Florida flag amid the Seminole’s 50-yard line. Florida State players rushed to take the flag, and in a familiar scene, an altercation followed. The teams continued shoving each other for minutes until Florida State’s head coach, Mike Norvell, became involved, taking the flag and breaking the players up.
The Texas Longhorns and rival Texas A&M Aggies played in another tense game. The Longhorns ultimately came out ahead with a 17-7 win. While there were 11 penalties, there were no fights. After the win, the Longhorns went to stomp on the Aggies midfield logo. But, their coach, Steve Sarkisian said “ I just watched Michigan and Ohio State get in a brawl from my hotel room,” and decided to stop his players, effectively preventing any altercations.
The feistiness wasn’t left to the players alone. After Penn State dominated Maryland 44-7, the coaches, Mike Locksley and James Franklin had some words for each other. They were allegedly screaming at each other. After the game, Locksley, Maryland’s coach, was asked about Penn State’s late-game touchdown. In response, he said that he “[didn’t] have a reaction,” but then followed this up by stating that Franklin has no respect for the game of football.
