Joe Rexrode and Mark Snyder

Gannett Michigan

Maybe one of them could have demonstrated better awareness. Maybe the other could have been less upset about the results.

Both felt compelled to talk about it a day later, and now Michigan coach Brady Hoke and Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio should be all set to move forward from the planting of a stake by a Wolverine player Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

First, U-M issued an apology from Hoke on Sunday afternoon, a day after the Wolverines’ 35-11 loss at MSU. Before kickoff, U-M’s Joe Bolden threw a stake into the ground, surrounded by several teammates, and they followed with gestures toward the MSU sideline.

“I want to publicly apologize to coach Dantonio as well as the players and supporters of Michigan State for our act of poor sportsmanship displayed pre-game yesterday,” Hoke said in his statement. “I spoke with Mark earlier today and expressed to him that we meant no disrespect to his team. During our regular Friday night team meeting, one of the topics presented to motivate our team was a history lesson addressing commitment and teamwork in a tough environment. A tent stake was presented to the team as a symbol of this concept.

“The stake was brought into our locker room as a visual reminder, and one of our team leaders chose to take it out on the field. As the leader of our football program, I take full responsibility for the actions of our team. We believe in displaying a high level of respect at the University of Michigan and unfortunately that was not reflected by this action prior to kickoff.”

Later Sunday, Dantonio had his usual teleconference with reporters to discuss the previous day’s game — moved up 15 minutes, likely in anticipation of a longer-than-usual discussion. Dantonio and his players were openly offended by the gesture right after the game, and he said MSU’s late decision to go for a touchdown rather than kneel “shoved it” back at the Wolverines.

On Sunday, Dantonio said he wanted to keep his call with Hoke private, but he reiterated what he has said many times — that “Brady and I have a great relationship, I have a lot of respect for him.”

“It’s my feeling as a person — not as coach, as a person — that I don’t really care to cause pain for anybody,” Dantonio said. “That’s not why I’m here. So I’m good to do. We’ll focus on the future.”