Former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions claimed he gave lifted signs to Ohio State.
Stalions resigned last year because of his involvement in a sign-stealing scandal that rocked the college football world. He purchased tickets to games involving multiple Michigan opponents so team members could impermissibly scout them in person. Buckeyes fans were some of the loudest critics of their rival’s cheating accusations, but Stalions said he once delivered stolen signals to the program.
Appearing on the Bussin’ With The Boys, Stalions recalled a close three-team race atop the Big Ten East in 2021. Michigan, which lost to Michigan State earlier in the season, needed Ohio State to defeat the Spartans to give them a chance at winning a division.
“I gave Michigan State’s signals to a buddy of mine. I changed all of the logos. I made it look like it came from a different school,” Stalions said, via Sports Illustrated. “I don’t want to give Ohio State something from Michigan, right? They might not use it, who knows. But we needed Ohio State to win, and I know they steal the crap out of defensive signals, so here you go.
“So I gave it to a buddy, who may have given it to a buddy, who then gave it to Ohio State and said ‘I got this from so and so at Name Your School University.’ I’m sure they probably already had them, but it just confirmed everything.”
Ohio State cruised to a dominant 56-7 victory over Michigan State behind 432 passing yards from C.J. Stroud, who had six touchdown passes and three incompletions. The Wolverines then beat the Buckeyes before capturing the Big Ten crown and a trip to the College Football Playoff with a win over Iowa.
Stalions insisted there’s a “giant circle” of “intel guys” stealing signals and trading information within college football.
Related: Report: Connor Stalions Named ‘Acting Head Coach’ Of Football Team