- South Alabama triumped in the 68 Ventures Bowl on home soil in Mobile, AL
- Players from the two teams became involved in a brawl following the game
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
A mass brawl broke out at the end of the 68 Ventures Bowl on Saturday after an Eastern Michigan player landed a sucker punch on his South Alabama rival while he celebrated.
Playing on home soil at Hancock Whitney Stadium, South Alabama trounced the visitors 59-10. The Jaguars (7-6) led 38-3 at halftime before securing their first bowl victory at the fourth attempt.
But the winning team’s celebrations were cut short when one of their players was attacked from behind.
South Alamaba players and staff were facing the marching band in the stands, and singing the school’s anthem when an Eastern Michigan player rushed over and appeared to punched a rival in the back of the head.
A brawl broke out after the 68 Ventures Bowl between Eastern Michigan and South Alabama
An Eastern Michigan player (circled) appeared to punched a rival in the back of his head
Punches were thrown as players from both teams became involved in the violence in Alabama
The attacker was immediately grabbed and soon a fight involving players from both teams had broken out.
Some staff members attempted to end the violence as punches were thrown and South Alabama players piled on to an Eastern Michigan rival who was on the floor.
Fracas continued to break out even after it seemed that tensions had begun to cool. Towards the end of the clip, which appeared on social media, one South Alabama player tackled an opponent to the floor.
According to reports, the violence came after tempers had flared during the game, with at least one major altercation coming on the South Alabama sideline.
It’s claimed Eastern Michigan’s Korey Hernandez was the player who threw the first punch, hitting South Alabama defensive back Jamarrien Burt in the head.
The footage, which appeared on social media, showed the fracas after the end of the game
Burt’s older brother, fellow defensive back Brian Dillard, was said to be among those to jump in to defend him.
Afterwards, Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton said: ‘We had a really good, long talk in the locker room afterwards.
‘We want to be first-class all the time, no matter the circumstances, no matter what the scoreboard is, no matter what other factors, people, whatever are involved. And anything short of being first-class is not living up to the standard that we have in Eastern Michigan football.
‘I think that our guys care a lot about performing well. I’m sure we were embarrassed by how we played and it probably didn’t take too much to get our guys into a place that we hope that they never get.’
