Memphis-BYU Bowl Game Ends With Brawl

Players punched and grabbed each other after the final play.

ByABC News
December 23, 2014, 3:38 AM
Players scuffle after Memphis defeated Brigham Young, 55-48 in double overtime during the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl football game, Dec. 22, 2014 in Miami.
Players scuffle after Memphis defeated Brigham Young, 55-48 in double overtime during the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl football game, Dec. 22, 2014 in Miami.
Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo

— -- Memphis and BYU battled for 60 minutes, then again for two overtimes, and the fighting continued after the final play.

The two teams participated in a memorable Miami Beach Bowl Monday – with Memphis winning 55-48 – but the game was overshadowed by a fight that broke out at the end of the game.

After the final play, people from the sidelines spilled onto the field, with players punching and grabbing each other.

PHOTO: BYU's Latanoa Pikula intercedes in a brawl after Memphis defeated BYU Young 55-48 in two overtimes in the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl NCAA college football game, Dec. 22, 2014, in Miami.
BYU's Latanoa Pikula intercedes in a brawl after Memphis defeated BYU Young 55-48 in two overtimes in the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl NCAA college football game, Dec. 22, 2014, in Miami.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall reflected on the fight after the game.

"You want them to rise above that and have fantastic sportsmanship," Mendenhall said. "I'm sure if you go back and look, there'll be an instance or two that ignited. Probably the majority wanted to handle it really well."

BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe apologized to fans on Twitter, writing, “We expect better of our athletes, even in the face of a difficult loss.”

Memphis Director of Athletics Tom Bowen also released a statement, stating that university officials will review video from the brawl and take "appropriate disciplinary measures" for those involved.

"I know we all regret that this incident detracted from an otherwise incredibly exciting and hard fought game. Hopefully, it will be a learning lesson for both teams," Bowen said.

Memphis freshman wide receiver Roderick Proctor scored the game-winning touchdown on an 11-yard pass from Paxton Lynch, and defensive back DeShaughn Terry sealed the win with an interception.

ESPN.com contributed to this report.