Consequences decided for brawl after rivalry game. NC State, UNC both issued fines
North Carolina and N.C. State were among four schools who received an institutional fine and public reprimand from the ACC on Monday.
The conference announced both schools, Virginia and Virginia Tech were fined for violating the ACC’s sportsmanship policy.
N.C. State and UNC players engaged in a fight on Saturday night at Kenan Memorial Stadium.
Wolfpack defensive end Davin Vann took the “Tuffy” flag from one of the cheerleaders, hoping to plant the flag at midfield following the team’s 35-30 rivalry win.
Tar Heels wide receiver JJ Jones ran to the N.C. State scrum and took the flag, then ran to the sideline and threw the flag onto one of the visitor benches. N.C. State safety DK Kaufman and Jacarrius Peak followed Jones to the sideline, where Kaufman shoved Jones with both hands. The confrontation led to additional pushing, shoving and a few punches between the teams at midfield.
Coaches from both teams, including Wolfpack offensive line coach Garrett Tujague, separated their players to prevent escalation. Tujague collected the thrown flag from the visitor sideline.
The ACC also fined Virginia and Virginia Tech for a pregame confrontation.
“In both cases, the actions violated the ACC Sportsmanship Policy,” a statement released Monday said. “The unsportsmanlike behavior that was displayed is unacceptable and tarnishes the passionate on-field play between these institutions.”
On Sunday, UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham and N.C. State athletic director Boo Corrigan released a joint statement after the skirmish.
“We’re disappointed by the conduct of some members of our football programs at the conclusion of our game Saturday at Kenan Stadium,” the statement said. “While the game was emotional and the Carolina-N.C. State rivalry is intense, we must always display good sportsmanship and represent our universities and the Atlantic Coast Conference with respect. We will address this incident with our respective teams.”
The ACC did not disclose the total dollar amount of the fines. The money collected will go to the Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford Postgraduate Scholarship fund, per ACC policy.
“The ACC considers this matter closed and will have no further comment,” the statement concluded.
The incidents involving UNC and NC State, as well as Virginia and Virginia Tech, were among several such situations that occurred Saturday as college football rivalry games were played throughout the country. Michigan and Ohio State players scuffled in Columbus, Ohio, where police eventually used pepper spray to quell the unrest.
This story was originally published December 2, 2024 at 1:52 PM.
