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Michigan-Ohio State rivalry boils as sign-stealing accusations increase

Published

7 months ago

November 22, 2023

Michigan-Ohio State rivalry boils as sign-stealing accusations increase

The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry has always been a bubbling cauldron of antagonism, bitterness and dislike — maybe even hate.

The Game’s iconic and enduring moments include but certainly are not limited to Ohio State pulling down Michigan’s beloved “Go Blue” banner in 1973; a shoving match between David Boston and Charles Woodson in 1997; and Buckeyes coach Woody Hayes going for two at the end of blowout in 1968 because he couldn’t go for three. (To be fair, it’s unclear Hayes actually said that.)

This year, with scandal swirling around the third-ranked Wolverines and the second-ranked Buckeyes being blamed by many Michigan fans for their team’s predicament, all the negative feelings seem to be amplified heading into Saturday’s showdown in Ann Arbor.

The mutual respect that has been a pillar of what is arguably college football’s greatest rivalry appears to be lacking these days — even among the coaches.

“People in Michigan think Ohio State is behind it, but what facts do they have? They don’t. On the other side, Ohio State is trying to diminish what Michigan has done the last two years by saying Michigan cheated,” Woodson told AP. “There are just a lot of insults being hurled back and forth as there always have been — and sometimes blows.”

To suggest any Michigan-Ohio State game is the biggest or most consequential in the history of the 118-game rivalry is a stretch.

“It’s not a big week. It’s not a big month. It’s not a big game. It’s a way of life,” was how former Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer explained Ohio State-Michigan on the Big Ten Network this week.

The Game almost always settles the Big Ten, often has national championship implications and because of the storied histories of its competitors is routinely dripping with storylines.

In 2006, No. 1 Ohio State played No. 2 Michigan in Ohio Stadium for a spot in the BCS title game. The day before the game, Bo Schembechler, the Hall of Fame coach who embodied Michigan football, died at 77. Schembechler’s passing turned a classic game into a tribute to one of the rivalry’s forefathers.

Bruce Madej was Michigan’s sports information director for 34 years before retiring in 2014. Madej remembers rocks being thrown at Michigan buses and hotels in Columbus where the Wolverines would stay that suddenly had no running water the night before the game.

He also remembered the admiration Schembechler and Hayes had for one another and how after Earle Bruce was fired by Ohio State in 1987 the week before the Michigan game the ex-Buckeyes coach spent enough time around the Michigan football offices that Madej offered him a role as an honorary SID.

“The word that I think should be banned from sports is the word hate,” Madej said “Do I want to see Michigan beat Ohio State? Yes, I do. Do I hate Ohio State? No.”

Heading into the the 119th meeting, college football’s version of Spygate has only served to ramp up the animosity.

“It’s allowed people to make accusations on either side that are probably unfair and unfounded,” said former Ohio State linebacker Joshua Perry, who now works as an analyst for NBC Sports.

The NCAA is investigating an in-person scouting and sign-stealing operation allegedly run by a low-level Michigan staffer who has since resigned. The Big Ten, in position to act more quickly than the NCAA, determined Michigan had violated the conference’s sportsmanship policy and punished the program by banning head coach Jim Harbaugh from the stadium for three games — including this one.

“And a lot of people on both sides, Michigan fans included, have very strong opinions on things that, frankly, they really don’t understand,” said former Michigan tight end Jake Butt, who works for the Big Ten Network.

Michigan was poised to take the Big Ten to court and fight the Harbaugh suspension, but backed off last week. The next day, the school abruptly fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge.

The final game of Harbaugh’s suspension will be served Saturday, keeping the former Michigan quarterback, who finally flipped the rivalry after a decade and a half of dominance by the Buckeyes, off the sideline as his team tries to make it three straight against Ohio State.

Who exactly tipped off the NCAA to a scheme apparently orchestrated by former recruiting analyst Connor Stalions is unclear.

That’s led to reckless speculation, unfounded rumors and fingers being pointed toward Columbus. It is downright nasty online.

“There is definitely a level of vitriol this year and there is so much at stake,” said Gary Marcinick, a former Ohio State football player in the mid-1980s and one of the founders of the Cohesion Foundation that supports Buckeyes athletes.

Woody and Bo were kindred spirits as they clashed during the 1970s in what became known as the 10-year War between Ohio State and Michigan.

“We’ve fought and quarreled for years but we’re great friends,” Hayes told the Ohio State student paper in 1986.

Harbaugh and Ohio State coach Ryan Day show no signs of a similar connection.

“Sometimes people that are standing on third base think they hit a triple,” Harbaugh said after Michigan broke an eight-game losing streak to Ohio State in 2021, a shot at the coach who inherited a ready-made national championship contender from Meyer.

Asked about his level of respect from Day and his staff this week, Harbaugh said it is irrelevant to the game.

Day took a similar approach to a similar question.

“I think with everything going on and the things that are out there, we’ve just kind of stayed away from all the distractions we have and just focused on our team, and I think our guys have done a good job of it,” Day said.

Perry and Butt, both Ohioans, have become close friends post college and hope they can be an example of how rivals can also be civil. They have been promoting a charity drive called The Game Gives Back for the Boys and Girls Club in Ohio and Michigan and challenging each school’s supporters to compete with donations.

John Kolesar has been deeply ingrained in the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry his whole life. His father played for Michigan in the 1950s. He played for Michigan in the mid-80s. And now his son, Caden, is on the team.

He shrugged off the current testy state of the rivalry as mostly angry people on social media and recalled another quote attributed to Hayes that he may or may not have said.

“He says, ‘Men, at some point in your life you’re going to need a helping hand. And when you do I want you to call your teammates,’” Kolesar said. “‘And if they don’t pick up, call the Michigan player you lined up against, he will pick up.’”

Maybe not quite as quickly these days.

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Northeast Ohio Weather: Sunny and cool today

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Press Room

Northeast Ohio Weather: Sunny and cool today

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Big Canadian high pressure system continues to build into Ohio. Bust out the shades today as it will be bright. It remains cooler than normal, however, with high temperatures in the 71 to 76 degree range. A clear sky tonight with overnight temperatures slipping into the 50s.

Warmer air builds in tomorrow with a sunny to partly cloudy sky. Afternoon temperatures back in the 80s. Humidity levels begin to go up Tuesday night.

A very warm and humid day Wednesday as the next front approaches. Temperatures rise close to 90 degrees in many towns. Thunderstorms are in the forecast from west to east Wednesday afternoon and night.

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4th of July fireworks displays in NE Ohio

Published

10 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Press Room

4th of July fireworks displays in NE Ohio

Northeast Ohio (WOIO) – The Fourth of July is fast approaching this Thursday and several northeast Ohio towns, cities, and counties are celebrating with fireworks displays.

Here are some of the fireworks near you:

Cuyahoga County

Bay Village
- Time: Thursday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: Bay Village Cahoon Memorial Park
Berea
- Time: Thursday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Over the water at Coe Lake
Cleveland
- Time: Thursday, 9 p.m.
- Location: Port of Cleveland
Lakewood
- Time: Thursday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: Lakewood Park
Westlake
- Time: Thursday at dusk
- Location: Clague Park

Ashland County

Ashland
- Time: Thursday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: Community Stadium
Loudonville
- Time: Thursday, 9 p.m.
- Location: Riverside Park

Ashtabula County

Conneaut
- Time: Saturday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Lakeview Park

Carroll County

Carrollton
- Time: Friday, event from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Location: Carroll County Fairgrounds

Erie County

Sandusky (Cedar Point)
- Time: Thursday and Friday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Cedar Point Beach

Geauga County

Middlefield
- Time: Wednesday, 8:30 p.m.
- Location: Yoder Brother Park

Lake County

Eastlake (Lake County Captains)
- Time: Thursday, following 7 p.m. game
- Location: Classic Auto Group Park
Mentor
- Time: Thursday, following concert at 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Mentor Civic Amphitheater

Lorain County

Avon Lake
- Time: Wednesday, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Location: Weiss Field
Lorain
- Time: Thursday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Mile-Long Pier
North Ridgeville
- Time: Wednesday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Victory Park Ohio

Medina County

Medina
- Time: Wednesday at dusk
- Location: Medina High School
Valley City
- Time: Thursday at dusk
- Location: Mill Stream Park
Wadsworth
- Time: Wednesday, 6 p.m. to dark
- Location: Downtown Wadsworth

Portage County

Aurora
- Time: Thursday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: W. Pioneer Trail
Hiram
- Time: Wednesday, 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Hiram College Football Field
Kent
- Time: Saturday at dark
- Location: Downtown Kent

Richland County

Mansfield
- Time: Saturday at dusk
- Location: Charles Mill Park

Stark County

Alliance
- Time: Thursday at dusk
- Location: Silver Park
Canton
- Time: Wednesday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: McKinley Presidential Library and Museum
Canton (Italian American Festival)
- Time: Saturday, 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Centennial Plaza
Lake Cable (Canton)
- Time: Wednesday, 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Lake Cable Clubhouse
Massillon
- Time: Wednesday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: Duncan Plaza
North Canton
- Time: Thursday at dusk
- Location: Hoover High School

Summit County

Akron
- Time: Thursday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: Lock 3
Akron (Rubberducks)
- Time: Wednesday, game begins at 7:05 p.m.
- Location: Canal Park
Cuyahoga Falls
- Time: Wednesday, 8 p.m.
- Location: Blossom Music Center

Tuscarawas County

Mineral City
- Time: Saturday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Atwood Lake Park
New Philadelphia
- Time: Saturday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Practice Field

Wayne County

Orville
- Time: Saturday, 10:15 p.m.
- Location: Orr Park
Wooster
- Time: Thursday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Burbank/Oldman Road soccer field

Does your community have a fireworks display not on this list? Email 19tips@woio.com with the subject “4th of July.”

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Transcript: Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio on

Published

17 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Press Room

The following is a transcript of an interview with Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, a Republican, on “Face the Nation” that aired on June 30, 2024.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We turn now to Ohio Republican senator J.D. Vance. He joins us this morning from Cleveland. And Senator I should say, we’re having some technical issues. So you’re with us on Zoom. Hopefully, our uplink stays solid throughout because I got a lot of questions for you, sir.

SENATOR J.D. VANCE: Sure.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Donald Trump had a better night on Thursday during that debate by many measures. But according to our poll, he fell short on at least one of them. Fewer voters thought the former president was truthful compared with President Biden. Mr. Trump falsely claimed states are passing legislation to execute babies. I think you know that killing people is illegal in every state. He falsely claimed that the Speaker of the House at the time turned down 10,000 soldiers that he had offered to keep the peace ahead of January 6, something his own Acting Secretary of Defense testified to Congress did not happen. If he has such a strong platform. Why make false claims?

SEN. VANCE: Well, Margaret, I think the media is running interference on a lot of this stuff. We all know and Nancy Pelosi herself has admitted on camera that she could have requested more National Guard troops, she bears some responsibility for the fact that they weren’t there at the Capitol. We know that a- the multiple Democratic governors and states and even some Democratic senators and congressmen have tried to pass laws that would effectively legalize abortion up until the moment of birth. And most importantly, we know that the media seems totally uninterested, in fact-checking Joe Biden from any of the number of false claims that he made–

MARGARET BRENNAN: — You know, I lost track, sir, I’ve been told the media is on every single side of this and everything’s our fault. But let’s get back to the candidate you’re here to talk about. Chris Miller said 10,000 Troops, he was never ordered by the President to send those to the Capitol that day.

SEN. VANCE: Nancy Pelosi has said on camera, Margaret, that she bears some responsibility for the fact that the National Guard didn’t play a bigger role. But of course, we know the Speaker of the House has an extraordinary amount of influence over the Capitol Police. It’s not in dispute, Margaret and more importantly, Joe Biden said that no troops died on his watch, even though 13 American service members died, thanks to his botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. Joe Biden made multiple statements of falsehood during the debate. And a lot of folks in the media, yes, seemed totally uninterested, in fact, checking him. And the reason Margaret is because Donald Trump just performed so much better. There’s- there was- there was this 24-hour period, where effectively everyone honest that there was an incredible contrast between Donald Trump’s energy and command to the facts, and Joe Biden’s obvious inability to do the job as president. And now of course, we’ve trained this new media cycle where folks are trying to run cover. Look, the American people saw what they saw. Trump can do the job, Biden can’t.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You might not have heard it, but I did raise a lot of those issues to Wes Moore, the Biden surrogate who was on before you. As to where you stand on some of these issues tomorrow at the Supreme Court, it may be a significant day as we get- expected to get that decision on presidential immunity from criminal prosecution. And that’s directly relevant to the federal charges against Donald Trump. As you know, you’re a lawyer. I wonder if you become the Vice President and you’re in a Trump-Vance administration. Do you believe a president could pardon himself for federal crimes?

SEN. VANCE: Well, look, I’m focused on electing Donald Trump as president, whether I’m serving in some other roles serving as the United States Senator, I think the Trump agenda has worked, Margaret. And on this particular question–

MARGARET BRENNAN

— But would you object if the President were to try to do that?

SEN. VANCE: Maragret, we know that the President has to have immunity to do his job. Should Barack Obama be prosecuted for droning American citizens in Yemen? There are so many examples of presidents Democrats and Republicans who would not be able to discharge their duties, if the Supreme Court does not recognize some broad element of presidential discretion. I’m very confident that they’re going to be able to do that. And I’m very confident that the fundamental principle here is the President’s got to be able to do his job in the same way that police officers, judges, prosecutors, enjoy some immunity, that principle has to apply to the president too.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So you do believe that a president could pardon himself for federal crimes?

SEN. VANCE: I believe that the President has broad pardon authority, Margaret, but more importantly, I think the President has immunity. It’s not about whether he should pardon himself. It’s about whether he should be prosecuted in the first place for discharging his official duties. So in that way, I sort of reject the premise of the question here. We need to have some recognition that- you know, look, a Democrat wins the presidency, they try to throw the Republican president in jail or a Republican wins the president. They try to throw the Democrat president in jail, that is the pathway to unraveling 250 years of American constitutional tradition and making the president totally unable regardless of party to do their job. That is not a good thing and it’s not something I think any Republican supports.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. To that point, President Trump on that debate stage on Thursday, suggested that Joe Biden could be criminally prosecuted after he leaves office. It wasn’t clear exactly what crime he was alleging. But he mentioned something about the U.S. border. In a Trump-Vance administration, would your Justice Department prosecute Joe Biden? And if so, for what?

SEN. VANCE: Well, first of all, that would be the responsibility of the Attorney General, Margaret. But Donald Trump did not say that he’s trying to throw his political opponent in jail. That is Joe Biden, who has in fact, already tried to do precisely that. And importantly, what he said is that if you apply the same standard that Joe Biden’s Justice Department has applied, then there are a lot of Democratic officials who could go to prison. He’s making a fundamental argument about constitutional fairness. It’s so extraordinary that people could say that Donald Trump is the one trying to use lawfare against his opponent sometime in the hypothetical future, when the very real president, that’s exactly what Joe Biden is trying to do. This is a danger–

MARGARET BRENNAN: But do you object to the premise?

SEN. VANCE: Right. And I think that what we need to recognize is that applying a consistent standard is what really matters.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So you would not want the Justice Department to prosecute Joe Biden for any alleged crimes, correct?

SEN. VANCE: I want people who- Margaret, I want people who commit crimes to face the appropriate response in law. What I do not think is reasonable is for Joe Biden to weaponize his own Justice Department, going after Donald Trump, any number of crimes, some of which have already been thrown out, a number of which I think will be thrown out, including on Monday by the United States court. So the- the problem that I have Margaret is not with which Democrats should prosecute which Republican and vice versa, it’s let’s get out of the prosecuting of people based on their politics. Let- let- let’s let voters decide who the president should be, not judges and prosecutors who are politically motivated.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator, you are, as everyone knows, on this very short list of potential running mates for Donald Trump. So for our viewers at home, you are 40 years old, you’ve been in the Senate for less than two years, you haven’t held elected office before this. If you are selected, alongside a nominee who is 78 years old, you will be a heartbeat from the presidency. What do you think your biggest accomplishment in the Senate has been to date?

SEN. VANCE: Well Margaret, again, I’m not running for vice president, and it’s important for us to remember that Donald Trump has been a very good president, he will be a very good president again. I think in some ways these vice presidential conversations serve to distract from the fact that we have: Donald Trump as president was a success, Joe Biden as president has been a failure. Let’s get back to success. Let’s get back to peace and prosperity. My attitude on the vice [president] thing, Margaret, is look, if he asked me, I want to help them. And of course, I would be very interested in the job. But you asked, what are my accomplishments in the United States Senate, and 18 months, Margaret, we’ve done a lot of good work for our constituents. We’ve got hundreds of millions of dollars to the Great Lakes. We’ve done a lot to help the people of East Palestine deal with a terrible train disaster. And of course, we’ve done a lot of work on making sure that Ohio has gotten defense resources that make not just Ohio but our country stronger. So there’s a lot we can hang our hat on. But I like being a senator. I’m not trying to leave the United States Senate. It’s an honor to serve the people of Ohio. And frankly, if you asked me, that’s where I expect to be in six months. That’s where I expect to be in a few years.

MARGARET BRENNAN: All right, J.D. Vance. We’ll be watching and hopefully we’ll have you back in-studio next time.

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