35 Years Ago: Minnesota Brawl

[FCollinsBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Thump

You're kidding me?

I get so mad when I see pictures or video or it.

I've actually seen video of it shown on Columbus newscasts usually on the anniversary.

I've never heard about it either. Of course, it was a day before I was born.

[Thump]

Originally Posted by FCollinsBuckeye

I've never heard about it either. Of course, it was a day before I was born.

Hell, I was born in 76!

[tedginn05]

I never heard of it before. Of course it was 17 years before my time.........

[calibuck]

Steve19 - I believe it. Fred never got the respect, nor did he get the recruits after that, and it was a quick slide downhill. Lest anyone forget, that Dave Winfield (the all world Yankee) was part of the thuggery that took place.

For all you young whippersnappers without any gray in your hair.......during a rebound struggle, Minnesota players punched and pummeled Luke Witte senseless. I DO remember his picture, and I DO seem to remember it was SI. Fred Taylor was helpless, and I don't seem to remember the rest of the Buckeyes getting into the fray.

After that game, OSU just 'died' that year (kinda like Burson when Iowa broke his neck), and Luke Witte never fulfilled his potential. Fred Taylor was basically washed up as a coach, and two of the Minny players played in the NBA. Maybe Steve19 or Grad or someone can remember more than I do, but I'm still livid about it. Musselman was at Golden State (the son), and I didn't shed a tear when he was canned. Also, I do so enjoy thumping Minny in ANYTHING.

I guess I should forgive, but I'll never forget...

[msj2487]

I had never heard of this incident myself, and I was going to post it on here to see if anyone else knew much about it, but then I found this thread. Unbelievable is the only word that comes to mind when I read through all of these posts.

Here is where I first heard of it, my 2007 sports tear-off calender:

1/25/72: In a clash of Big Ten unbeatens, Ohio State defeats Minnesota, 50-44, at Williams Arena in Minneapolis after a wild brawl halts the contest with 36 seconds left. Seven-foot Buckeye center Luke Witte is roughed up by the Gophers, especially Ron Behagen and Corky Taylor, who are later suspended for the balance of the season. Several courtside fsans also get involved, and police are needed to quell the nasty row. Minnesota athletic director Paul Giel discontinues the game.

[BLASKO]

Originally Posted by BB73

The article didn't mention some items of interest.

Big Ten Commisioner Wayne Duke suspended Ron Behagen and Corky Taylor for the rest of the 1972 season.

Minnesota went on to win the Big Ten title in 1972.

Jim Brewer was drafted #2 overall by the Cavs in 1973 (who took Allan Hornyak in the second round), and Behagen was drafted #7 overall by the KC-Omaha Kings the same year.

Here's a picture of Witte from SI:

si.com.embarrassingmoments

Although some articles about Musselman claim that he was fired as a result of the incident, the 1971-72 season was actually the first of his 4 years at Minnesota.

Thanks BB73 for the information and for the photo. It was a while ago and I wasn't sure if it was in fact an SI cover that I had remembered. I find it interesting that SI doesn't list this issue on their cover website. Guess they would like to forget this incident as well.

Interesting sidenote, Big Ten commissioner Wayne Duke was actually at the game, he was on campus visiting with Cal Stoll who had just been named head coach of the football team.

[Best Buckeye]

I was watching this game and remember it. I always hated Winfield because of it.