South Alabama trounced Eastern Michigan 59-10
Eastern Michigan University’s athletic director, Scott Wetherbee, issued an apology for a postgame incident and strongly denounced the actions of Eagles players after the team’s defeat in the 68 Ventures Bowl against South Alabama on Saturday night.
The incident unfolded as South Alabama players were enjoying their band’s performance. A player from Eastern Michigan, specifically identified as Korey Hernandez, reportedly struck Jaguars player Jamarrien Burt. This altercation led to a brawl between players before they were eventually separated. Wetherbee expressed regret over the incident and condemned the behavior of the involved players.
The motive behind the punch was unclear, but on Sunday night, Athletic Director Scott Wetherbee released a statement addressing the incident.
“We unequivocally condemn the actions of certain student-athletes on the EMU football team during the regrettable incident following last night’s 68 Ventures Bowl,” the statement read. “We are profoundly disappointed and ashamed by the events that transpired. Their behavior does not align with the immense pride and high standards we uphold for our game and our program, emphasizing the expectations of sportsmanship and exemplary conduct for student-athletes both on and off the field. The incident was entirely unacceptable.”
“We apologize to the Eastern Michigan University community and the South Alabama team and their fans. I have personally reached out to Joel Erdmann, the Director of Athletics at South Alabama, to convey our sincere apologies. Coach Creighton has also communicated with Coach Wommack to express our regret. We are dedicated to providing information and video footage to comprehensively grasp the entirety of the incident.”
Wetherbee mentioned that the school is currently investigating the incident.
Joel Erdmann, the Director of Athletics at South Alabama, also issued a statement.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Jerry Silverstein and the City of Mobile for inviting us to participate in the 2023 68 Ventures Bowl. Our student-athletes and coaches had a phenomenal experience, and we take pride in their accomplishment of securing the first bowl championship in school history, in front of our devoted fans and community. This is a milestone that will be remembered for a long time,” Erdmann stated.
“While we are disheartened by the incident that occurred after our team’s victory, we appreciate the leadership at Eastern Michigan University for taking responsibility for the incident. They reached out to our leadership here at South Alabama to offer apologies and assurance of a thorough investigation. We firmly believe that this incident does not reflect the values of Eastern Michigan University or its football program. We hope that this situation does not overshadow the fact that the Jaguars are the proud champions of the 68 Ventures Bowl.”