College football’s 5 most viral on-field fights of 2023

Eastern Michigan vs. South Alabama, Dec. 23 

An Eastern Michigan football player sucker punched a South Alabama player following the Eagles’ 49-point loss in the 68 Ventures Bowl. The swing sparked a massive brawl as dozens of players returned the gesture by punching and kicking the EMU player back, as shown in the video below.   

Eastern Michigan apparently wanted to break down another concrete wall after the 59-10 loss to South Alabama…

Here is the cheap shot that started the postgame fight.

(🎥 via @SWHesq)pic.twitter.com/m06DzqCRr5

— Cody Nagel (@CodyNagel247) December 24, 2023

Eastern Michigan later condemned the fight and in part noted, “What happened was completely unacceptable. We apologize to the Eastern Michigan University community and to the South Alabama team and their fans.” 

The EMU player, defensive back Korey Hernandez, asked for forgiveness from the community through a public statement. He also noted that the player he punched, Jamarrien Burt, accepted his personal apology.