Shock moment referee gets hurt in brawl between Ohio State and Michigan

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A referee was nearly badly hurt after getting caught up in a brawl between Ohio State and Michigan players on Saturday.

In an incident in the second quarter - before police targeted players with pepper spray in another fight after the game - Ohio State quarterback Will Howard connected with Jeremiah Smith for a first-and-10.

But Smith was taken down near the Michigan sideline when he was easily out of bound after his four-yard gain, prompting both set of players to collide.

And a referee was embroiled in the skirmish, with replays showing him tumbling to the ground. 

There were so many bodies involved it was unclear exactly what exactly prompted him to fall down but for a brief and concerning moment, he appeared hurt as hit the floor.

It could easily have been worse for the official if a player had stepped on him but as tempers began to cool between the two sets of players, he returned to his feet and seemed to be ok.

A referee was nearly badly hurt after getting caught in a brawl between Ohio State and Michigan

For a concerning moment, the official lay on the ground appearing to be badly hurt

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On social media. it was a rare case where the referee was getting sympathy from fans.

'I would hate to be an official in this game because you know you are just going to be breaking up fights all game,' one said,

Another simply said: 'Nobody is safe!'

Michigan went on to record a stunning 13-10 upset in the game which was overshadowed by events after fulltime. 

Ohio State University Police have now launched an immediate investigation into the shocking moment Michigan players were pepper-sprayed on the field after beating the Buckeyes.

A group of Wolverines players planted their school flag on the field - considered a major sign of disrespect in college football - and Ohio State players physically confronted them.

Police stormed the field to try and break the angry clashes up but in clips that quickly went viral, cops can be seen deploying pepper spray into the air after players begun swinging punches at each other.

Shortly after, Michigan players were seen holding onto each other on the sidelines, seemingly unable to see after the pepper spray got into their eyes.