31 Suspended After Miami 'Footbrawl'

Once the fighting ended, the finger-pointing began, with the majority of Miami and Florida International players claiming the other side started an ugly, sideline-clearing brawl.

On Sunday, those schools and their leagues found plenty of blame to go around.

After reviewing video of the melee that marred Saturday night's match-up, 31 players — 13 from the Hurricanes, and 18 from FIU — were suspended for his team's next game. Miami plays at Duke this coming Saturday, FIU visits Alabama Oct. 28.

Additional sanctions, including longer suspensions, could still be issued by the schools.

"I don't have many bad days," Miami coach Larry Coker said. "This is a bad day."

The Atlantic Coast Conference and Miami (4-2) suspended Carlos Armour, Chris Barney, James Bryant, Tyrone Byrd, DajLeon Farr, Ryan Hill, Bruce Johnson, Charlie Jones, Brandon Meriweather, Brian Monroe, Derrick Morse, Randy Phillips and Anthony Reddick.

"These suspensions send a clear and definitive message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated," ACC Commissioner John Swofford said.

Meanwhile, the Sun Belt Conference and FIU (0-7) suspended Michael Alls, Scott Bryant, Roland Clark, Michael Dominquez, John Ellis, Cory Fleming, Reginald Jones, Marshall McDuffie Jr., Robert Mitchell, Quintin Newman, Luis Pena, Jarvis Penerton, Julian Reams, Lionell Singleton, Chris Smith, Samuel Smith, Mannie Wellington and Chandler Williams.

"There is no place in higher education for the type of conduct exhibited," Sun Belt Commissioner Wright Waters said.

There were many instances of heated words being exchanged during — and before — the game.

But shortly after halftime, unsportsmanlike turned into unruly.

Bryant bowed to the crowd after catching a touchdown pass with 9 minutes left in the third quarter. Moments later, FIU's Chris Smith wrestled Miami holder Matt Perrelli to the ground and punched him.

McDuffie kicked Perrelli in the helmet. Morse jumped onto the Smith-Perrelli pile, Singleton followed and tried to punch the Hurricanes' Calais Campbell — and benches began to empty.

"It's a real embarrassment," FIU linebacker Keyonvis Bouie said, "especially for our school. ... I'm just really disgusted with our players and the way we handled the situation."

Several players from both sides appeared to throw punches. Meriweather was seen attempting to stomp on FIU players, while an injured Golden Panther swung a crutch menacingly at several Miami players.

Meanwhile, Reddick charged across the field, helmet raised over his head, and slammed it into Mitchell.

"It was disgraceful and very disappointing," Coker said after reviewing tapes of the game. "We just can't tolerate that type of action. That's not college football. It's not what we represent at the University of Miami, and it certainly will not be tolerated."

The suspensions come at a terrible time for Miami, which has six ACC games remaining — and probably needs five wins to even have a chance at playing for the conference title.

Yes, Miami is playing winless Duke next. But the Hurricanes will play that game without their best kick returner (Johnson), their second-best running back (Jones), two key secondary members (Meriweather and Randy Phillips), their right guard (Morse) and their punter (Monroe).

Plus, starting right tackle Jason Fox and linebacker Jon Beason were injured Saturday and their availability isn't known for the Duke game.

Suddenly, what could have been an easy game doesn't look so easy anymore.

Meanwhile, FIU would have been a big underdog at Alabama anyway, but now will visit the Crimson Tide without nearly half of its regular starting lineup.

"I can promise you," FIU coach Don Strock said, "that this will never happen again."

It's the latest in a disturbing series of incidents for Miami in recent months.

• Several Miami players fought with LSU players following the Tigers' 40-3 Peach Bowl win.
  
  
• Shortly before the Miami-Louisville game Sept. 16, virtually the entire Hurricanes' roster jumped on the Cardinals logo at midfield, an act widely viewed as a taunting gesture. Afterward, some Miami players chided teammates for that incident.
  
  
• A Miami player, Willie Cooper, was shot outside his home shortly before training camp began in what players contend was a robbery attempt. Meriweather returned fire; police said he acted legally.
  
  
• Wide receiver Ryan Moore, who was suspended for the Peach Bowl for violating team rules, then suspended again for other infractions, is expected to be charged this week with misdemeanors stemming from an August fight with a woman. He hasn't played this season.

And now, perhaps, comes the worst blow.

Still, Coker — who has been under fire all season and whose job security seems to be a constant source of speculation — bristled when asked if he has control of his team.

"I do have a grip on this program," Coker said. "Don't ever doubt that. Don't ever doubt that."

[interobserv]

And where were the police? Actions such as this deserve consideration under criminal law. Why are athletes (Pro and student) allowed to get away with this type of behavior? That is criminal as well!!

[pghlady2]

There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior, NONE. They need to be suspended from school as well as sports for the rest of the school year. Those who started it should be expelled, sent home packing. Athletes, espically pros think they are above the law-because we let them, so why shouldn't those in college, on their so called way to the pros act any differently? It needs to be stopped now, zero tolerance.

[mjv2944]

We have turned athletes into God like heroes and they are far from it. Their behavior needs to be addressed bywhat ever governing body is controling their sport and the punishment should be swift and severe. There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior whether pros, collegeor even high school. With the amount of TV exposure, they are having a lot of influence or youger kids.

[tvgenius]

They need to have their scholarships revoked and be sent home on a bus. There are too many T.O.'s in the making who are only in college because they want to play in the NFL.

[kguess002]

There's something wrong with the Miami program. You can look at their graduates who have behavioral problems.

[harrisski]

Zero tolerance from all schools period. Ban them for the rest of the year. This type of behavior has to stop. How about learning SPORTSMANSHIP FIRST and SELF CONTROL in addition to learning the game! The coaches and the schools should be the first to say we're done for the year period! You cannot do this on the football field. Good luck!

[mjv2944]

Maybe they need to do a more extensive back ground check beside looking at films and stats, when recruiting.

[dmpeetz64]

I strongly believe that this should be a matter of zero tolerance. Both teams should be banned from play the remainder of the year. These two teams have no respect from me.