Eric Boggs
As an Ohio State fan, it’s hard to look past the scandal that rocked college football last year, casting a long shadow over the Michigan Wolverines’ recent success. The Netflix documentary Untold: Sign Stealer, which dropped this past Tuesday, pulls back the curtain on the story of Connor Stalions, the ex-Marine turned Michigan staffer who masterminded an elaborate sign-stealing operation that spanned the Big Ten.
In the documentary, Stalions, who is now a defensive coordinator at Mumford High School in Detroit, tries to tell his side of the story. The film paints a picture of a man who exploited the system, skirting the edges of legality in a way that leaves a bad taste in the mouths of many college football fans—especially those in Columbus.
One of the most telling moments comes when Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy bluntly confirms that Stalions was indeed on Central Michigan’s sideline during a Michigan State game. Stalions’ response is a mix of smirks, denials, and justifications, making it clear that he’s not interested in outright admissions. Instead, he dances around the accusations, offering excuses that fail to hold up under scrutiny.
The documentary doesn’t shy away from showing the depth of Stalions’ operation. He orchestrated the purchase of tickets to over 30 Big Ten games—12 of which were Ohio State games—all with premium seats near the 50-yard line. He claims these were for friends and family, but the evidence suggests otherwise. Transactions on Venmo and interviews with figures like Eleven Warriors’ own forum vigilante, Brohio, indicate that this was a well-planned operation to gather intel on future opponents.
Stalions tries to downplay the seriousness, likening it to receiving an unnecessary Christmas gift—unwanted but harmless. Yet, when pressed by the NCAA, even he couldn’t keep up the charade, admitting that he received film of opposing sidelines from those he sent to games. Still, he insists he never used the footage, a claim that rings hollow, especially to those who have witnessed Ohio State’s struggles against Michigan in recent years.
The documentary culminates with Stalions being confronted by NCAA investigators, where he offers the feeble excuse that he doesn’t recall whether he was at the Central Michigan vs. Michigan State game. The film cuts between this and his earlier conversation with Portnoy, revealing the contradictions and evasions that define his narrative.
What makes this all the more infuriating for Ohio State fans is that Ryan Day, our head coach, now faces the challenge of leading the Buckeyes against a Michigan team that some argue had an unfair advantage under Jim Harbaugh’s tenure. Harbaugh, who has since moved on to coach the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL, left behind a legacy tainted by this scandal.
For Ohio State, the stakes in 2024 couldn’t be higher. After losing three straight to Michigan, the Buckeyes finally have a golden opportunity to turn the tide. With Harbaugh out of the picture and the Wolverines reeling from the fallout of this scandal, the road to victory is clearer—but the pressure on Day has never been greater. Should he fail to bring home a win this season, especially with the shadow of sign-stealing looming large, the calls for change in Columbus could grow deafening.
Day has made it clear he has no interest in watching the Netflix documentary, a sentiment that many Buckeyes share. Why dwell on Michigan’s sordid tactics when the focus should be on reclaiming the rivalry on the field? But make no mistake—this scandal has added fuel to an already fierce fire. Ohio State fans have every reason to believe that this is the year we right the wrongs, expose Michigan’s vulnerabilities, and restore our rightful place atop the Big Ten.
