Michigan Gets a Break: Ortmann Cleared by Big Ten
From ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg:
The Big Ten won’t suspend Michigan starting left tackle Mark Ortmann after an incident involving Illinois’ Corey Liguet in last week’s game at Memorial Stadium.
Wolverines head coach Rich Rodriguez said Wednesday that the league reviewed the play and agreed with Michigan’s assessment and decided not to penalize Ortmann. Video appeared to show Ortmann striking Liuget after Liuget recovered a fumble early in the fourth quarter.
Ortmann told Rodriguez on Monday that he simply tried to push Liuget away with an open hand.
The YouTube video of the incident that was flying around the internet after the game has been removed, but I think it’s pretty clear here that Michigan, and Ortmann, got lucky. Last time I checked, you don’t push someone away by giving them a straight left to the nuts, but maybe I’m just doing it wrong. Regardless of whether a suspension was deserved or not, Michigan can breathe a sigh of relief — the last thing this team needs is another starter gone from the offensive line.


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