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Jim Harbaugh defends ‘innocent’ Michigan from off-field distractions following national championship win

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Jim Harbaugh defends ‘innocent’ Michigan from off-field distractions following national championship win


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Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh proclaimed his team’s innocence after the No. 1 Wolverines topped No. 2 Washington 34-13 in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday to cap a scandal-tainted season. The win brought the program’s first national title since 1997, providing a triumphant end to a campaign that got rocky amid allegations the programed engaged in a detailed sign-stealing scheme.

“Off the field issues, we’re innocent,” Harbaugh said postgame. “We stood strong and tall because we knew we were innocent. I’d just like to point that out.”

Big Ten officials issued a three-game suspension for Harbaugh to conclude the regular season. The alleged scheme centered on the actions of staffer Connor Stalions, who resigned on Nov. 3. Stalions allegedly bought tickets to more than 30 games involving potential future Michigan opponents for the purpose of collecting information about opposing play-call signals. NCAA rules do not allow in-person scouting. 

But after Monday night’s triumph, Harbaugh was adamant about his team’s integrity with regard to the controversy.

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“These guys are innocent,” he said. “Overcome that, it wasn’t that hard because we knew we were innocent. That’s really wanted to say. It went exactly how we wanted it to go.”

Video footage also showed Stalions gaining access to Central Michigan’s sideline — presumably under false pretenses — for its game against Michigan State, a top rival of the Wolverines. An anonymous former Division III coach also claimed Stalions gave him money and a game ticket to record opponents’ signs. Stalions was apparently spotted with a bald head and no beard at Michigan’s Rose Bowl semifinal against the Crimson Tide. 





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Michigan State Police patrol car damaged in hit-and-run on Lodge Freeway in Detroit

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Michigan State Police patrol car damaged in hit-and-run on Lodge Freeway in Detroit



The Michigan State Police is looking for the driver of a Jeep that the agency said hit one of its patrol cars on Lodge Freeway in Detroit Sunday night.

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According to officials, the incident happened at 7:50 p.m. on the northbound side of the freeway near Shaefer Highway. The agency said a trooper was investigating a crash and had the patrol car parked on the right shoulder of the freeway with its emergency lights on when it was rear-ended by the Jeep. 

“The impact forced the patrol car to strike the concrete wall on the right shoulder,” according to the agency.

A damaged Michigan State Police patrol car on the side of Lodge Freeway in Detroit on March 1, 2026, after it was hit by a Jeep. 

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The Jeep then went across three lanes of the freeway and hit a median wall, officials said. The driver, identified by law enforcement as a 29-year-old Detroit woman, left the vehicle and fled the scene. 

Michigan State Police First Lieutenant Mike Shaw said that while the trooper was evaluated and cleared at the scene by medical personnel, he was still taken to the hospital as a precaution. 



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Indiana extends Big Ten streak to five as the Michigan women win for the first time since 2018

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Indiana extends Big Ten streak to five as the Michigan women win for the first time since 2018


The Indiana men didn’t just win, they secured a fifth straight conference championship, continuing a swimming and diving dynasty in Bloomington. Michigan’s women surged to the top of the league, capturing the title with authority and balance across the lineup.

Records fell left and right throughout the week as this year’s Big 10 championships featured some of the best performances in conference history in the pool.

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Here are the main takeaways from this year’s Big 10 swimming and diving championships:

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Indiana breaks away from Michigan to win fifth straight title

The Indiana men continued their dominance in the pool in 2026, extending their Big 10 dynasty.

From start to finish, the Hoosiers demonstrated experience and elite talent. Indiana won ten different events, including two relays and eight individual wins from six different athletes.

Indiana dominated the distance events this week, winning the 400-yd IM, the 500-yd freestyle, and 1,650-yd freestyle. Senior Zalan Sarkany won both distance freestyle events while freshman Josh Bey started off his Big 10 career with a win in the 400-yard IM.

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Owen McDonald was the second highest scorer in the meet behind Michigan senior Tyler Ray, who was named Big 10 Swimmer of the Championships. The senior won the Big 10 title in the 100-yd backstroke and 200-yd IM.

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Senior Kai Van Westering and junior Dylan Smiley closed on the week with wins on the last night of competition for the Hoosiers. Van Westering grabbed the win in the 200-yd backstroke and Dylan Smiley won the 100-yd freestyle before leading Indiana to a win in the 400-yd freestyle relay to close out the meet.

Beyond individual stars, the Hoosiers stacked swims in the top eight of each event, showcasing balance across not only distance, but sprint and mid-distance events as well. Indiana’s performance combined consistency and poise, placing swimmers in the establishing control from the first event individual event to the final relay.

The win marks Indiana’s 32nd Big 10 title overall, which is second all time behind Michigan. Head coach Ray Looze won his ninth men’s Big Ten title, moving him into the top five all time in conference history.



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Woman accused of driving at the bottom of an Oakland County ski hill near guests

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Woman accused of driving at the bottom of an Oakland County ski hill near guests



A 58-year-old woman is accused of driving a vehicle at the bottom of a ski hill near skiers and snowboarders in White Lake Township, Michigan, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office said Saturday.

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Prosecutors allege the Bingham Farms, Michigan, woman drove near guests of Alpine Valley Ski Area, including children, on Tuesday. 

According to the prosecutor’s office, witnesses said they saw the woman smoking what appeared to be marijuana before the incident and wearing ski boots while driving. Officers attempting to perform sobriety tests reported that she “exhibited poor balance, slurred speech, and open hostility.”

Online court records show the woman is charged with operating while impaired for the third time. If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison, a maximum fine of $5,000 and “mandatory vehicle immobilization” for one to three years, the prosecutor’s office said.

“This defendant endangered children with her irresponsible actions,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a written statement. “There is no excuse to drive impaired, even once. If you’ve had too much to drink or are under the influence of marijuana or other drugs, call a friend, call an Uber, just don’t drive.”

The woman is scheduled to appear at a probable cause conference on March 12.

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