LOOK: Video and Photos Show Michigan Wolverines Analyst Connor Stalions Helping Coaches vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
It has now seemingly been confirmed that the Ohio State Buckeyes have been directly affected by Connor Stalions and the Michigan Wolverines sign-stealing scandal.
In a report from Yahoo Sports, a member of the Ohio State football staff revealed that the team was aware of the potential threat of sign stealing from the Wolverines and was forced to change their tactics heading into the 2022 matchup.
“We heard they had a guy pick plays pretty good and had all this information from not your typical ways of getting the signals,” the Buckeyes staff member told Yahoo. “We get into the game and it’s the second quarter. I see him across the field and he’s checking his 11x17 sheet.”
And now, a video from the game has surfaced, with Stalions clearly being seen on the sidelines assisting Michigan coordinators when Ohio State was on offense and receiving signals from the sideline.
Photos from the Columbus Dispatch even show Stalions standing next to Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines during the game, with some type of playsheet in hand.
Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches from the sideline beside off-field analyst Connor Stalions, right, during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Michigan would go on to win that game vs. the Buckeyes 45-23, securing a spot in the Big Ten championship game, and eventually, the College Football Playoff.
According to Yahoo's Ross Dellenger, another Big Ten team was also made aware of Michigan having 'a guy who could pick plays', and was made aware of the issue by another staff in the conference.
“We were told to be careful because they had a guy who could pick plays,” a Big Ten coach said. “It was too late in the week to change our signals, but another staff did tell us about (Stalions).”
Still, somehow, Harbaugh has denied any knowledge of the scandal, releasing a statement to that effect on Thursday last week.
"I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment," Harbaugh said in the statement.
Michigan is currently in their bye week and will return to the field on Nov. 4 against Purdue.
