Accused Michigan sign-stealing mastermind bought Ohio State vs. Penn State tickets: Report

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Tickets for last Saturday’s Ohio State vs. Penn State game were purchased in the name of the Michigan football staffer tied to allegations of illegal in-person scouting for the purpose of stealing opponents’ signs, according to an ESPN report.

Pete Thamel and Mark Schlabach reported that 11 Big Ten schools confirmed Connor Stalions purchased tickets in his own name for over 30 conference games over the past three seasons. Those tickets tended to be located near midfield and high enough to see the opposite sideline. Sometimes tickets on opposite sides of the stadium were purchased.

That included Saturday’s top-10 showdown between the Buckeyes and Penn State. ESPN said sources confirmed Stalions purchased tickets across from each bench on both sides of the stadium. Michigan plays both teams later this season.

According to the report, no one used the tickets purchased in Scalions’ name on Saturday. Ohio State defeated Penn State 20-12, setting the Buckeyes on another potential collision course with Michigan on Nov. 25 to decide the East representative for the Big Ten championship game. Michigan and Penn State are scheduled to play Nov. 11.

Ohio State officials continue to decline comment on the matter.

ESPN reported the NCAA is expected to receive video evidence of illegal technology used in scouting that is tied to tickets Stalions purchased. It said one unnamed Big Ten school checked video surveillance from a game this season and said the person in a seat Stalions purchased used a smart phone to film the team’s sideline throughout the game.

According to the report, Stalions forwarded tickets to at least three other individuals, who used those tickets to attend games.

Yahoo first reported last week that the NCAA is investigating whether Michigan, through Stalions’ actions, violated an NCAA bylaw against in-person scouting. The Big Ten notified Michigan’s future opponents of the investigation last week. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh denied any knowledge of such an operation.

Michigan suspended Stalions with pay and said it is cooperating with the investigation. The Wolverines are ranked No. 2 in the AP Top 25 poll and on many sites are the betting favorite or second-favorite to win the national championship.

The NCAA was already investigating the program for violations of dead period rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. Harbaugh served a self-imposed three-game suspension to start the season after the NCAA accused him of failing to cooperate with investigators, a Level I violation. A resolution in that case is not expected until after the season.

Michigan had lost eight straight to Ohio State before winning in 2021, the year the sign-stealing operation is alleged to have begun, and again last season.

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