Jim Harbaugh expects the four suspended Michigan State football players involved in roughing up two members of Michigan’s team to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
“I can’t imagine that this will not result in criminal charges,” the Michigan coach said Monday.
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker said later Monday that it would be irresponsible to respond to Harbaugh’s call for criminal charges due to the ongoing investigation.
“We’re not here to make any excuses for the behaviors Saturday,” Tucker said. “They are unacceptable.”
Harbaugh said defensive back Gemon Green was punched by a Spartans player in the Michigan Stadium tunnel to spark the melee shortly after the fourth-ranked Wolverines beat their in-state rivals on Saturday night, and that teammate Ja’Den McBurrows was attacked when he tried to help.
McBurrows is seen on a video shared on social media being pushed, punched and kicked by multiple Michigan State players, who pulled him out of the tunnel and into a hallway that doesn’t lead to either locker room.
Harbaugh said both players have injuries, adding he did not know if Green, a starting cornerback for a third straight season, would be cleared to play Saturday night at Rutgers.
“This has been a very traumatic experience for everybody, especially for Ja’Den and Gemon,” Harbaugh said.
Attorney Tom Mars, who is representing Green, said his client deserves to be compensated for his injuries that include a concussion.
“Severe consequences in this case will deter others who might think they can get away with brutally beating an opposing player and only get a slap on the wrist,” Mars told The Associated Press. “I’ve got news for the MSU players who did this to Gemon. They are going to feel the full wrath of the law.”
Tucker announced Sunday night that linebacker Tank Brown, safety Angelo Grose, defensive end Zion Young and cornerback Khary Crump were suspended immediately. Tucker said the decision was made after “reviewing the disturbing electronic evidence.”
Brown, Grose and Young are seen on video getting physical with McBurrows. With the Michigan Marching Band playing the school’s fight song nearby, Crump is seen hitting Green in the tunnel on video captured by ESPN.
“The incidents involving a small group of our players do not represent our culture,” Tucker said.
Auburn fires coach Harsin
Auburn fired coach Bryan Harsin on Monday after less than two seasons, ending a rocky tenure in which the proud program struggled to compete in the Southeastern Conference.
Harsin went 9-12 overall and 3-5 this year. Auburn has lost four straight games while struggling against Power Five opponents, including a 41-27 loss to Arkansas on Oct. 29 that proved the final straw. Auburn will owe Harsin 70% of his remaining contract — more than $15 million — and half of that must be paid within 30 days.
“President (Chris) Roberts made the decision after a thorough review and evaluation of all aspects of the football program,” the school said in a brief statement announcing the move.
“Auburn will begin an immediate search for a coach that will return the Auburn program to a place where it is consistently competing at the highest levels and representing the winning tradition that is Auburn football,” the statement said.
No. 17 North Carolina loses three starters
North Carolina has lost three starters to season-ending injuries following 17th-ranked Tar Heels’ weekend win against Pittsburgh.
The school said Monday that Noah Taylor and Desmond Evans from the defensive front, along with running back Caleb Hood, will miss the rest of the season.
Taylor, a graduate transfer from Virginia, had started all eight games and has 3 1/2 sacks as a pass-rushing end. He left Saturday’s win after falling to the ground on a rush and grabbing his right knee.
Evans had started seven games. Hood had started four games and had secured a growing backfield role in wins at Miami and Duke. Both players are out with upper-body injuries, though the school didn’t specify further.
Syracuse DB Williams out for rest of season
Syracuse defensive back Garrett Williams, who led the Atlantic Coast Conference in pass breakups in each of the previous two seasons, will miss the rest of this season for the No. 22 Orange because of a knee injury.
Coach Dino Babers said Monday that Williams has a torn anterior cruciate ligament.