Michigan's Mark Ortmann Punches Illinois' Corey Liuget in the Groin

For the second time this season, a Michigan player has been caught on video (the clip has been pulled off of YouTube) throwing a punch after a play, leading to a likely suspension.

In Saturday's loss to Illinois, Michigan starting left tackle Mark Ortmann hit Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget in the groin after Liuget recovered a Michigan fumble. Ortmann was on the ground, and when Liuget stood over him celebrating, Ortmann threw a quick left uppercut into Liuget's groin.

It was the cheapest kind of cheap shot, and Liuget was clearly in pain afterward: Cameras caught him complaining to the referee and then hobbling off the field.

The incident is reminiscent of the punch Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton threw at Notre Dame center Eric Olsen this season -- a punch that got Mouton suspended for a game by the Big Ten. In that case, Rodriguez claimed he didn't see any punch, but outcry from the fans and the media after the video of the punch went viral forced the Big Ten to act, and Mouton was suspended. Now Ortmann should be suspended for Saturday's game against Purdue.

One of the major stories of this college football season is the way conferences have been forced to act in response to videos uploaded on YouTube by fans. Whether it's the SEC suspending officials for bad calls or the Big Ten suspending players for cheap shots, fans have a powerful tool at their disposal, and increasing numbers of fans are using it.

More at The Wiz of Odds and AnnArbor.com.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-02-2009 @ 8:05AM

Jay Robbins said...

Liuget was wrong to walk right into an opponent still on the ground. Liuget forced his crotch on the Michigan player. I would have done the same.

11-02-2009 @ 8:54AM

Roger Childress said...

Yep, the punch took place.But how come Mr. M D Smith doesn't see the obvious crotch is the face that looked like IT was done on purpose.Would have punched his n-ts out also.

11-02-2009 @ 9:07AM

raveon1019 said...

No, He should have bit them off and hung them from the goal post.

11-02-2009 @ 10:18AM

j2202208 said...

What does anyone expect from any team that is being led by a bunch of Big East rejects? Had one of Bo's players or even Carr's players ever even thought of doing such a despicable act.... they would have lost their scholarship, kicked off the team and probably thrown out of school. Michigan football is a sorry joke under Rodriguez.. no class and no honor... The sooner Rich Rod and his carpetbagging syncophants are sent packing the sooner Michigan will resume its rightful place atop college football!

11-02-2009 @ 10:41AM

Boz said...

Its Michigan for christ sake, what do you expect. The always over hyped overated bitch of ESPN. They have that Detroit thug mental malfunction thang goin on. The perpetual ESPN ass kissin will go on anyway. They will probably go up in the poles for doing it! Screw the thug nation

11-02-2009 @ 11:09AM

DP said...

This guy should be suspended but let's not forget Florida's Brandon Spikes for his eye-gouge on the Georgia player this weekend.

Michael David Smith - come on, get this one up on the website as well so everyone can see.

11-02-2009 @ 11:52AM

Bo said...

It's sad to see the Michigan program continue to sink. Earlier this year UM's Mouton was suspended for punching a ND player. Now this guy punches an Ill. player in the nuts. No excuse for that. No excuse. Michigan is lowering the bar for it's players. Doesn't take long for a respected program to become disrespected.

11-02-2009 @ 1:21PM

Robert Garcia said...

Suspend him. No excuse for it. All that he walked into him - that's NOT an excuse to punch him in the nuts. This crap has to end in CF!!

11-02-2009 @ 3:00PM

hafttwo said...

fire rich rod please

11-02-2009 @ 9:52PM

Michigan this and Michigan that...Crap.....Look at the video again .The punch was wrong no doubt but get real here.The man rubbed his crotch into the players FACE and watch the replay it was done on purpose.....if you defenders think thats ok then well I got some old jocks laying around for you.

11-03-2009 @ 11:27PM

Fred said...

Once a again we will hear a press confrence where rich rod will say he didnt seeanything then the big ten will have to step in and suspend the player .. Seriously i am a buckeye fan and even i have to cringe at what he is doing to this team he has no control over his team hes proved over and over that he has no honor !( starting by dumping west virginia right before bcs game after he stated he was going no where ) i personally think ron english would have been a better coach and these type of things would not be happening ..Now i dont hope they lose because their michigan io hope so they get rid of this douche bag and atleast bring back some level of discapline and honor to this program .

11-07-2009 @ 8:55PM

janandrick84 said...

How low are we going to sink. This is not the tradition that Bo left us. Even Carr gave us better than this.

11-08-2009 @ 3:14PM

rlbrooks726 said...

With a coach like Rich Rodriguez, who cheats...what can you expect from his players? This is what happens when you hire a coach who is not a "Michigan Man". Lloyd Carr's teams won and lost with class.