Both Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker and university president Samuel Stanley released statements Sunday morning condemning their players for the alleged assault of two Michigan players following the Wolverines' 29-7 win over the Spartans Saturday night at the Big House.
In one video that's spawned an active police investigation, a group of MSU players are seen roughing up one Michigan player outside what appears to be the Spartans locker room in the tunnel at Michigan Stadium.
"As Spartans our program has a responsibility to uphold the highest level of sportsmanship," Tucker said in his statement. "While emotions were very high at the conclusion of our rivalry game at Michigan Stadium, there is no excuse for behavior that puts our team or our opponents at risk."
Tucker added that Michigan State will cooperate with law enforcement and the Big Ten as they investigate the matter "and take swift and appropriate action."
At least one Michigan State player, freshman Zion Young, was seen punching a defenseless Michigan player, believed to be sophomore Ja'Den McBurrows. Young was one of several Spartans who dragged the Michigan player to the ground and took shots at him while he was down.
Jim Harbaugh said two of his players "were assaulted" in the tunnel and one of them suffered a possible broken nose.
Stanley said he is "extremely saddened by the incident" and ensured that Tucker "will be holding the players involved responsible."
“On behalf of Michigan State University, my heartfelt apology to the University of Michigan and the student-athletes who were injured," Stanley said in his statement. "There is no provocation that could justify the behavior we are seeing in videos. Rivalries can be intense but should never be violent."
University of Michigan president Santa Ono also released a statement Sunday morning, confirming he had spoken with Stanley and "others from the MSU community."
"Both institutions are committed to taking all the necessary steps to ensure that such a situaiton does not occur again in the future," said Ono.
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