University of Miami linemen fight on sidelines during Pop Tarts Bowl

There has seemingly been an uptick in brawls in college sports, specifically college football.

According to the Daily Mail, a massive, physical brouhaha took place during the otherwise friendly matchup between the University of Miami and Iowa State -- except the fight was between players on the same team.

The outlet reported that two Miami teammates entered into a nasty, physical exchange during the Pop Tarts Bowl, which was held over the weekend in Orlando, Florida.

The altercation happened between two defensive linemen, as the Mail reported:

Senior defensive lineman Simeon Barrow Jr. was seen getting physical with freshman d-lineman Marquise Lightfoot.

Barrow was seen throwing multiple punches at Lightfoot while Lightfoot was seen shoving his counterpart.

The fight between the two Miami teammates was another undesirable outcome for the struggling team, which was recently considered a lock for the College Football Playoff and widely predicted to go to the ACC Championship game.

The Mail added:

Miami's star quarterback - Cam Ward, a projected first-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft - only played one half of the contest.

He then left the game, seemingly uninjured, with Miami leading the game 31-28. Iowa State then mounted a comeback - outscoring the 'Canes 14-10 in the second half to win the game 42-41.

Miami missed its opportunity to play in the big game after a crushing and unexpected defeat at the hands of Syracuse, which completely destroyed the team's championship hopes and instead sent them to the Pop Tarts Bowl.

𝑯𝑬𝑨𝑻𝑬𝑫 𝑺𝑰𝑫𝑬𝑳𝑰𝑵𝑬: Miami players get into an argument and punches are thrown in the Pop-Tart Bowl.😳pic.twitter.com/V7AdB2vX67

— The Sammooo! Show (@TheSammoooShow5) December 28, 2024

Social media users reacted to the video footage of the two teammates scrapping, with some blaming the quarterback for exiting the game early.

"This is what happens when your leader quits on his team," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "Trash undisciplined team. They would be a 4-8 team without Cam Ward."

Others on social media mocked the Pop Tarts Bowl, with no shortage of comparisons to toaster strudels and favorite Pop Tart flavors.

"Toaster strudel is waaay better," another social media user wrote.

It's clear that the University of Miami has a lot of work to do in the offseason, both on and off the field.