Norfolk State, South Carolina State players suspended after brawl

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has suspended 11 players from Norfolk State and 10 from South Carolina State for a sidelines-clearing brawl late in the schools' football game last Saturday.

Conference Commissioner Dennis Thomas said in a statement disciplined players will miss the season-opening contests in 2015. Suspended players were not named. The MEAC said seniors involved who had no eligibility left were not punished.

The fight took place with 12:35 left in the final quarter after Jalen Simmons scored on a 4-yard run, giving South Carolina State ahead 29-17. Players on both sides began shoving each other during the extra point try before the situation became more serious with punches being thrown.

Once officials and coaches stopped the fight, the game continued without further incidents. South Carolina State won 30-20.