Tulsa disciplined for bowl game brawl; no decision on Mississippi State

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Tulsa announced disciplinary actions will be issued to 13 of its players who participated in a post-game brawl with Mississippi State at the end of last month's Armed Forces Bowl. 

The punishments handed down Friday include reprimands, community service assignments and suspensions. 

"We were extremely disappointed by the actions that followed the game," Tulsa interim athletics director Rick Dickson said in a school release. "The university expects all athletic teams to set an example for excellence in sportsmanship and exhibit Tulsa's values, including integrity and respect.

"The behaviors witnessed after the bowl game do not reflect the TU values we seek to instill in future leaders. As an educational institution, we will take the opportunity to help all our student athletes, not just those being sanctioned, learn from this teachable moment and ensure it won't happen again."

Members of the Tulsa and Mississippi State football teams fight after the Armed Forces Bowl last month. (Photo: Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Tulsa worked with the American Athletic Conference to appropriately assign its punishments.

"While we remain disappointed that the actions of a few individuals overshadowed a competitive and entertaining bowl game, I would like to commend the University of Tulsa for its thorough and decisive action," AAC commissioner Mike Aresco said in a news release. "We expect the highest degree of conduct and sportsmanship from our student-athletes and will continue to hold those who do not meet that standard accountable.”

No decision has been made by Mississippi State or the SEC on any  possible punishments handed down to the Bulldogs who took part in the fight. 

Mississippi State director of athletics John Cohen released a statement on Jan. 1, roughly 24 hours after the fight, that said he and coach Mike Leach would "address the situation in an appropriate manner." 

Follow Tyler Horka on Twitter @tbhorka on Twitter.

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