Massive brawl breaks out at end of Armed Forces Bowl between Mississippi State and Tulsa

The Armed Forces Bowl between Mississippi State and No. 24 Tulsa was largely uneventful main as much as the Bulldogs’ 28-26 victory. After the ultimate whistle, although, issues took an unsightly flip when a struggle broke out between the 2 groups. 

Tensions had been excessive all through the afternoon. Each groups had been jawing at one another earlier than kickoff and there have been some chippy moments throughout the sport. It is tough to say what instigated the scenario after the sport, however punches started flying and that is when issues bought out of palms. 

Here is how the struggle unfolded — which ESPN reduce to in realtime after initially going again to studio protection. The struggle went on for a number of minutes as coaches and even some regulation enforcement officers on the sphere tried to interrupt it up. 

One of many ugliest moments caught on digital camera got here when Mississippi State large receiver Malik Heath kicked a Tulsa participant who was down on the bottom. 

Sadly, this didn’t look like a victimless scenario. Golden Hurricane defensive again Kendarin Ray needed to be helped off the sphere after apparently struggling an damage throughout the brawl. Tulsa coach Phillip Montgomery famous after the sport that he believes Ray suffered a concussion.

When requested concerning the struggle by ESPN in his post-game interview, Mississippi State coach Mike Leach mentioned his message to the workforce could be “Do not do it anymore. It is simply dumb,” however then added, “there was a few of that stuff going forwards and backwards throughout the course of the sport.” 

“This can be a soccer sport so we’re not going to be tearing material over this deal; any individual went to a soccer sport and any individual bought hit,” Leach mentioned.

Montgomery didn’t wish to touch upon brawl post-game.

Neither program has formally commented on the post-game brawl, however seeing because it was a horrible second for everybody concerned, one has to determine statements, and maybe some disciplinary measures, shall be coming as soon as the mud settles.