Some of the evidence against Michigan in a sign-stealing scandal was published in a report by ESPN on Monday, and it paints a bad picture for the Wolverines. Things look even worse for Connor Stalions, the staff member who was said to be responsible for the operation and was suspended with pay by the school on Friday.
The report detailed damning evidence against Michigan. Stalions is alleged to have purchased tickets for over 30 games of 11 Big Ten schools over the past three seasons. He is said to have purchased the tickets with his credit card and then forwarded the tickets to at least three different people. The seats were all said to be in a similar location that would make it easy to see the opposing sideline. One stadium’s surveillance reportedly captured the person sitting in a seat purchased by Stalions holding up a cell phone aimed at the opposing sideline the entire game.
The operation appears to have been going on this season. Stalions reportedly had purchased tickets on both sidelines for the Ohio State-Penn State game. The 8-0 Wolverines are scheduled to face both teams later this season. The tickets purchased by Stalions for Saturday’s game at Ohio Stadium went unused amid his suspension. The Buckeyes beat the Nittany Lions 20-12 to hand Penn State its first loss.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh issued a statement last week in response to the allegations of violating NCAA rules with their alleged sign-stealing operation. He did not outright deny Michigan stealing signs, but rather, he denied having any knowledge of or directing Michigan to do so.
Michigan’s best defense at this point may be to just blame everything solely on Stalions and argue that he was acting independently. That might not allow them to completely avoid punishment from the NCAA, but it could slightly ease potential discipline.
