Opponents often clash at the end of a game or just after it ends, when emotions and adrenaline are running high. But sometimes things get heated during the pregame when both teams are warming up on the field, like before Saturday’s game between Nebraska and USC.

The Cornhuskers were on the road in Los Angeles on Saturday and, as is tradition under head coach Matt Rhule, they gathered at midfield for a pre-game prayer and meeting. Apparently some USC players objected to that and appeared to successfully break up the meeting.

Like the Lincoln Star Journal As noted, some Trojans were stretching and “involved in the meeting,” which led to a small and brief scuffle, forcing members of both teams’ staffs to intervene.

Things got exciting between USC and Nebraska ahead of today’s game 👀 pic.twitter.com/CpK6Cl4HcR

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2024

A few USC players were unhappy with Nebraska’s usual team meeting at midfield. pic.twitter.com/zCrvMnz9fM

— Luke Mullin (@LjsLuke) November 16, 2024

It doesn’t appear that any punches were thrown, but there was some pushing and a lot of animated words.

More via the Lincoln Star Journal:

Nebraska defensive line coach Terrance Knighton tried to take control of the situation on one side of the huddle while veteran leaders like Ben Scott and Isaac Gifford exchanged words with USC’s Elijah Hughes.

A USC staffer eventually removed Hughes from the huddle, with a limited amount of pushing and shoving as Nebraska left midfield.

It’s a good thing the situation didn’t escalate, especially before kick-off. But here are a few other angles on the brief clash between players.

USC didn’t like Nebraska saying its pregame prayer at midfield at the Coliseum. Things got quite restless when the #Huskers were in midfield. Overhead, a USC player walks into the tunnel after saying, “The game hasn’t started yet and they’re starting sh**.”

Quite a… pic.twitter.com/BhzvTzqkdC

— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) November 16, 2024

Nebraska walked right into the USC logo and some USC players and analysts objected. Bryson Allen-Williams and Sam Greene are involved. Lots of shouting and clapping. pic.twitter.com/imbXu4LIGY

— Connor Morrissette (@C_Morrissette) November 16, 2024

Words are exchanged at midfield long before kickoff between USC and Nebraska. USC DL always sits in midfield before matches. The entire Nebraska team came out to do the same and things started to simmer. Stopped before I got physical. pic.twitter.com/bBmzvWmAPY

— Erik McKinney (@ErikTMcKinney) November 16, 2024