The alleged sign-stealing operation by suspended Michigan staffer Connor Stalions reportedly was not just limited to Big Ten schools.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel and Mark Schlabach, Stalions "bought tickets for games at four schools outside of the Big Ten that were either in College Football Playoff contention or playing contenders."
Thamel and Schlabach noted that all of the tickets purchased for games involving CFP contenders were purchased "either toward the middle or end of the 2022 season." By that time, the Wolverines were on their way to a second consecutive trip to the College Football Playoff.
Stalions was also found to have purchased tickets to the 2021 and 2022 SEC title games through the secondary market.
After it was reported on Monday that Stalions purchased tickets for over 30 games at 11 Big Ten schools, a 12th school disclosed on Tuesday that he purchased tickets to its games as well. Per Thamel and Schlabach, 12 of the 13 possible Big Ten schools have a record of Stalions buying a ticket to their games.
Stalions was suspended without pay on Friday after he was named as the centerpiece of the NCAA's investigation into the alleged sign-stealing operation. Since his identity was revealed, schools across the country have been checking their ticket data to see if he purchased tickets to their games.
Thamel and Schlabach confirmed that Stalions has purchased tickets to more than 35 games at 17 stadiums around the country so far. The alleged operation included at least three people to whom he forwarded the tickets in order to attend the games.
Michigan is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation and is one of the favorites to make the College Football Playoff again this season. The Wolverines will be back in action on Nov. 4 against Purdue.
