Miami players are separated from LSU players in a scuffle Friday night after the Peach Bowl in a tunnel at the Georgia Dome
Posted on 12/31/2005 10:43:25 AM PST by SmithL
ATLANTA -- Two members of the Miami football team were knocked unconscious Friday night moments after the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Hurricanes coach Larry Coker said.
The incident took place after LSU's 40-3 win over Miami.
Exactly what happened was hazy moments after the game. However, about a dozen Miami players ran toward the tunnel leading to the LSU dressing room after the game's final play.
LSU tackle Andrew Whitworth said the dust-up stemmed from a misunderstanding.
Whitworth said LSU wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, a Miami native, was kidding around with a Miami player at the end of the game and that other Miami players misinterpreted the exchange.
"A skirmish started. We tried to break it up, and it just got out of hand," Whitworth said.
Bowe said as the game was about to end, a Miami player asked him for the game ball, which Bowe then provided.
"We were all playing," Bowe said.
Coker told reporters that two of his players were left unconscious after the incident.
They were offensive lineman Andrew Bain and wide receiver Khalil Jones.
Coker said no players were detained by police, and no players were hospitalized.
"I don't know what happened, and I don't condone it," Coker said.
LSU's Jacob Hester said trash talking, some involving Bowe, began as good-natured fun.
"We had a guy who was from Miami (Bowe) who was kidding around with one of his boys," Hester said. "Miami thought it was something serious. They came in the tunnel and they were swinging, but it was just a joke between friends."
LSU coach Les Miles said in his postgame news conference that the incident made for a "messy ending" to the game.
"It really did surprise me to find out there was a problem," Miles told reporters.
LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said he did not know whom to blame for the mixup.
"It was a bad scene, but there is always a common denominator," Fisher said. He did not elaborate.
Said Whitworth, "It was a bunch of craziness, and it all actually started with the guys playing around."
William Weathers, Will Sentell, Marty Mule and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Peach Brawl Ping
I thought the 'Canes were unconscious during the game...oh, and never pick a fight with a guy from LSU.
I can't say I am surprised when the game includes the Miami Hurricanes. They have always been a bunch of thugs.
Never mess with a coona$$ (and I am one so don't start) when he's had a bad year.
One of those games it's a shame both couldn't lose. If they keep letting these idiots talk trash and dance like parrots on a hot grill, college football will suffer. I now only watch games I am really interested in because of the poor sportsmanship. I watched the Oregon players do the "in your face dance" all game after everyday plays and then they throw the flag against OU twice in the last minute for less obnoxious sportsmanship actions. Not an OU fan in anyway but watched that game because it seemed to be an easy bet. OU+4
I love to see Miami get crushed like this.
Especially for those knocked unconscious.
When it's OU versus OU, how is anyone supposed to follow what you just said there?
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