Ryan Boman
Eastern Michigan’s Korey Hernandez struck Jamarrien Burt after South Alabama routed EMU 59-10 in the 68 Ventures Bowl
A brutal incident took place after Saturday’s 68 Ventures Bowl, where South Alabama destroyed Eastern Michigan, 59-10. But the beatdown on the field was nothing compared to the blow that EMU’s Korey Hernandez laid on the Jaguars’ Jamarrien Burt after the action had supposedly concluded.
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South Alabama had just wrapped up a victory and their fans were singing their fight song at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, when Hernandez hit Burt from behind. Apparently, he wasn’t in the Christmas spirit following his team being routed.
The EMU defensive back’s actions led to an on-field brawl between the two teams. It also left Eastern Michigan athletic director Scott Wetherbee scrambling to apologize for the ugly incident.
“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 are deeply upset and embarrassed by what happened,” Wetherbee said in a statement on Sunday.
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“Their conduct does not reflect the great pride and high standards we place on the game and our program, and the expectations for good sportsmanship and exemplary conduct of student-athletes on and off the field.,” Wetherbee concluded.
“What happened was completely unacceptable. We apologize to the Eastern Michigan University community, and to the South Alabama team and their fans.”
Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton also addressed the unfortunate situation.
“I didn’t see things when they happened,” Creighton said. “But I definitely saw the intensity of what had just happened. We had a really good, long talk in the locker room afterwards.”
“We want to be first-class all the time, no matter the circumstances, no matter what the scoreboard is, no matter what other factors, people, whatever are involved,” he added. “And anything short of being first-class is not living up to the standard that we have in Eastern Michigan football.”
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