In the aftermath of the 68 Ventures Bowl, where South Alabama celebrated their first bowl win with a resounding 59-10 victory, Eastern Michigan struggled throughout the game, managing only 3 first downs compared to South Alabama's 8 touchdowns. The match in Mobile ended in controversy as a postgame brawl erupted, sparked by Eastern Michigan player Korey Hernandez, who sucker-punched South Alabama's Jamarrien Burt. Videos of the postgame altercation circulated online, showing the near-escalation into a larger fight, which was averted as the teams were separated. Eastern Michigan's athletic director, Scott Wetherbee, issued an apology, condemning the actions of the players involved and promising an investigation. Hernandez also issued a formal apology for his role in the brawl.
"Fully accountable in this matter" Eastern Michigan player Korey Hernandez broke his silence after throwing a sucker-punch against South Alabama that sparked a huge brawl. There's no excuse for that kind of conduct after a game. READ: https://t.co/GzsPL7hDdm https://t.co/c0oQ5sQgz3
Eastern Michigan DB Korey Hernandez issues formal apology for initiating the postgame brawl at the 68 Ventures Bowl https://t.co/bZJSGMImwF
Massive Brawl Erupts After 68 Ventures Bowl Following EMU’s Korey Hernandez Sucker-Punching USA’s Jamarrien Burt https://t.co/NWGqy6PtMB
‘UGLY’ ENDING: South Alabama players were listening to their band perform when an Eastern Michigan player punched Jaguars player Jamarrien Burt. https://t.co/LfkgF4pg3n https://t.co/9YoZ9eD2Ec
Eastern Michigan player apologizes for sucker punch after bowl loss to South Alabama https://t.co/ATfG5OxL6P
Apology from Korey Hernandez of Eastern Michigan concerning Saturday’s incident with South Alabama. https://t.co/KHfwTs5lie
Eastern Michigan condemns postgame melee following 49-point loss to South Alabama https://t.co/XY4uFFizQz
Eastern Michigan apologizes to South Alabama for player's punch that sparked brawl after bowl game https://t.co/ul5KTGGbHF
Eastern Michigan football player sparks mass fight after SUCKER PUNCHING rival from South Alabama https://t.co/nuZkZCuqFB https://t.co/hiZlAhfLR3
South Alabama defeated Eastern Michigan 59-10 at the 68 Ventures Bowl — then a sucker punch sparked a massive brawl. https://t.co/WGmMBqK3qQ
Eastern Michigan’s Korey Hernandez sucker-punches South Alabama player to spark bowl brawl https://t.co/ElmMQHOAge https://t.co/46kmr8w0KM
Eastern Michigan AD condemns players who engaged in brawl after 68 Ventures Bowl https://t.co/stCyrtMvCC
A thread on the South Alabama-Eastern Michigan brawl and what led up to it. https://t.co/uq4YzBQgST
Finally went back and watched the punt return play just before the half of the 68 Ventures Bowl, which seemed to precipitate the post-game brawl. Here's what I noticed: 1. South Alabama's Brian Dillard (26) was blocking on Eastern Michigan's Korey Hernandez (5), who (1/5)
Eastern Michigan AD apologizes for post-game brawl vs. South Alabama, promises to investigate https://t.co/nbM70R832f
South Alabama AD thanks EMU AD for his apology. https://t.co/wd24jwhD7b
Eastern Michigan AD apologizes for the post-game brawl and promise to investigate. https://t.co/ODxbCIGz74
'Deeply upset and embarrassed': EMU is reviewing video of the brawl after last night’s bowl game, and disciplinary action is expected. —> https://t.co/1tjP3YiLEk via @detroitnews
Statement from Eastern Michigan AD Scott Wetherbee on the punch/fight instigated by EMU after last night's bowl game vs. South Alabama. "We strongly condemn the actions of some of the student-athletes on the EMU football team in the ugly incident…" https://t.co/1nHBzyeUww https://t.co/TXfRNY6nUa
South Alabama knocked out Eastern Michigan on the field and on social media https://t.co/Q3P8NmJrqZ
An official statement from Eastern Michigan University Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee "We strongly condemn the actions of some of the student-athletes on the EMU football team in the ugly incident that took place following last night's 68 Ventures Bowl. We…
Statement from Eastern Michigan AD Scott Wetherbee after Saturday night’s postgame melee. He apologizes to South Alabama and says he and EMU president James Smith are working jointly with MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher to investigate: https://t.co/JUa7cJjLYq
EMU player sucker punches South Alabama player, ignites wild fight after 68 Ventures Bowl https://t.co/qsDgAFEtlc
Eastern Michigan player ignites brawl with South Alabama after 49-point loss https://t.co/b6dq2ubHpS
Massive brawl breaks out at the 68 Ventures Bowl between Eastern Michigan & South Alabama after Eastern Michigan got demolished 59-10 An Eastern Michigan player couldn’t handle the defeat and raced across the field while South Alabama was singing their anthem, sucker punching a… https://t.co/4PBnswWoa5
Brawl erupts after South Alabama routs Eastern Michigan in 68 ventures Bowl https://t.co/wqidMfG1N0
Eastern Michigan and South Alabama got into a full-blown brawl after a wild sucker punch from an EMU player https://t.co/usKQ5e6e51 https://t.co/lJNeiTcUJy
Eastern Michigan Player Sucker Punches South Alabama Player After 49-Point Loss, Melee Erupts on Field (VIDEO) via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/IYhDrU3u7Q
South Alabama and Eastern Michigan players brawl after 68 Ventures Bowl https://t.co/YaUNInIOgy
Eastern Michigan-South Alabama brawl: Post-game chaos erupts after sucker punch at 68 Ventures Bowl https://t.co/CZ76PpOD8q
Eastern Michigan football player sparks mass fight after SUCKER PUNCHING rival from South Alabama following 59-10 defeat in the 68 Ventures Bowl https://t.co/BIpWAKlBeJ https://t.co/lt5o9nj2oc
WATCH: Sucker Punch Sets Off Nasty Brawl at the End of College Football Bowl Game https://t.co/BPk5uTosh4
Holiday Spirit! Eastern Michigan player sucker-punches opponent after South Alabama wins first bowl game, prompting a postgame fight. . Read: https://t.co/zLLT8oKbsO https://t.co/Vspp3ZyHAB
UPDATED GAME STORY: South Alabama pummels Eastern Michigan 59-10 for first bowl victory https://t.co/EpHkTRJ4RG
After losing the 68 Ventures Bowl 59-10, an Eastern Michigan player sucker punched a South Alabama player, which led to a brawl. https://t.co/1vtLlJ8yFd
Here's video showing the beginning of the post-game fight between South Alabama and Eastern Michigan. You can see an Eastern Michigan player (No. 5, there are 2 on the roster) punch USA's Jamarrien Burt in the back of the head. Brian Dillard (Burt's brother) then jumps in. https://t.co/naJ92kqDt6
On-field fight erupts after South Alabama’s 59-10 win in 68 Ventures Bowl (video) https://t.co/eYPdqwKzAd
Eastern Michigan player sucker punching South Alabama player during the Alma Mater and melee ensued. #68VenturesBowl video 1 of 2 https://t.co/gyIz8kPjGQ
Here’s video of some of the postgame altercation between South Alabama and Eastern Michigan. Not a good look for either side, frankly. https://t.co/B0jyoxSjoN
Got close to a big fight at the end of South Alabama’s 59-10 bowl win over EMU but both teams got to the locker rooms before things got out of hand. (The USA crowd went nuts when the team came back out for the trophy presentation) https://t.co/WTXa15OpSl
eastern michigan players starting a fight after losing to south alabama 59-10 in the 68 ventures bowl … https://t.co/6MGfxrrWA2
South Alabama dominates Eastern Michigan https://t.co/94ltoC8iKJ
End of 3rd quarter... South Alabama has more TD (8) than Eastern Michigan has first downs (3)
South Alabama has more points than Eastern Michigan has yards gained🤯 https://t.co/8gINIpEYEJ
Eastern Michigan is having a very rough time in Mobile https://t.co/hDuwHYR8ya