The Associated Press

Defensive coordinator Jon Wauford is led away in handcuffs from Marshall University Stadium by West Virginia State Police troopers Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Greg Perry) | ZOOM |

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Miami University defensive coordinator Jon Wauford was arrested and led off the field in handcuffs after allegedly shoving a Marshall fan following the RedHawks' 36-34 loss Tuesday night.

The fan, Robert A. Flaugher of Pickerington, Ohio, hit his head on the artificial turf and was taken on a stretcher to a hospital with a concussion, according to a report filed by State Police in Huntington.

Flaugher, 36, was in stable condition at St. Mary's Medical Center, said a nursing supervisor.

"It was a sucker punch, basically," Flaugher's brother, Todd, said from the hospital. "We were on our way to the exit. I saw the follow-through. Two State Police officers were standing about 10 feet away and saw it all."

Wauford, 32 and a former Canadian Football League defensive end, was charged with battery, a misdemeanor. He was transported to Cabell County Magistrate Court and posted bail. The amount wasn't immediately released.

The frustration of a fifth-straight loss to Marshall also boiled over in the Miami coaches box, where a desk was destroyed and chairs were hurled through walls.

With its title hopes dashed, Miami players and coaches left the stadium without talking to the media and RedHawks officials refused to comment on Wauford's arrest.

"My brother was jumping up and down, celebrating with the Marshall players. He said he was waving goodbye to the Miami players and that one of them threw their mouthpieces at him. He said the next thing he knew, he was in an ambulance," Todd Flaugher said.

Todd Flaugher, 33, said neither he nor his brother used foul or abusive language toward any Miami players or coaches.

Marshall fans stormed the field after the game, won when Herd quarterback Stan Hill scored on a 1-yard run with 5 seconds left. Wauford allegedly shoved the man and was then handcuffed by State Police.

Mid-American Conference commissioner Rick Chryst was standing near Wauford as he was led away. Todd Flaugher said police led Miami head coach Terry Hoeppner over to see Rob Flaugher down on the ground.

"I saw a Marshall fan jumping up and down and he was close to the coach," witness Matt Riley said. "I'm not sure if he said something, but I saw the coach just take his forearm and give him a quick shove. His head looked like it snapped back and hit the turf hard."

Wauford was a three-time all-Mid-American Conference defensive end at Miami of Ohio from 1989-91. He later played for Ottawa and Las Vegas in the CFL.

Marshall 36, Miami 34
Game statistics