By Brian Murphy, WRAL

The postgame fight between their football teams will cost both NC State and North Carolina.

The ACC announced Monday that both institutions were fined the maximum allowable under the league’s bylaws, for violating the league’s sportsmanship policy. Virginia and Virginia Tech were also fined. The maximum allowable fine is $25,000, according to a 2020-21 version of the the league’s bylaws. The conference also issued a public reprimand.

“The unsportsmanlike behavior that was displayed is unacceptable and tarnishes the passionate on-field play between these institutions,” the ACC said in a statement.

The money goes to the league’s postgraduate scholarship account.

NC State players, including defensive lineman Davin Vann, attempted to plant their flag on the UNC logo at midfield after the Wolfpack’s 35-30 victory. UNC players, including wide receiver J.J. Jones, took offense. Jones grabbed the flag and tossed it. The incident escalated.

Boo Corrigan and Bubba Cunningham, the athletics directors at NC State and UNC, respectively, issued a joint statement Sunday about the fracas.

“We’re disappointed by the conduct of some members of our football programs at the conclusion of our game on Saturday at Kenan Stadium,” they said in the statement. “While the game was emotional and the Carolina-NC State rivalry is intense, we must always display good sportsmanship and represent our universities and the Atlantic Coast Conference with respect. We will address this incident with our respective teams.”

The fight in Chapel Hill was one of several over the weekend at the end of rivalry games in college football. At the end of games between Michigan and Ohio State, Arizona and Arizona State and Florida and Florida State, there were skirmishes or worse as the result of flag planting or other demonstrations by the victorious road team.

NC State, which has defeated UNC four consecutive times, planted its flag in 2022 as well, a moment that was on the mind of UNC players.

“I had said two years ago that was disrespectful,” outgoing UNC head coach Mack Brown said. “I’ve said all week you need to compete, but you need to do it with composure.”

Nearly 40 players from NC Central and Howard were suspended after a post-game fight between football players from the two schools in November.

Source: wralsportsfan.com