CMU investigating whether Michigan staffer Connor Stalions was on its sideline scouting Michigan State

Central Michigan said Tuesday it is investigating whether Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions was on its sideline scoping out Michigan State during its season opener in September.

Photos circulating on the internet suggest that Stalions was on the Chippewas' sideline during the Sept. 1 game, about six weeks before the Wolverines played and beat Michigan State.

Stalions was suspended Oct. 20 by Michigan after an investigation reportedly turned up videos of and documented plans and budgets for the scouting of the Wolverines' opponents.

"We became aware of these photos late yesterday and we are in the process of determining the facts surrounding them. As this process is ongoing, we have no further comment at this time," Central Michigan athletic director Amy Folan said.

Stalions, a low-level staffer for the Wolverines, was hired in 2022 as part of the recruiting staff. He has not commented publicly since the allegations surfaced. The NCAA is now involved.

The NCAA does not ban sign stealing, but there are rules against scouting opponents in person and the alleged scope of the Michigan case has been the talk of college football. Stalions allegedly purchased tickets to the games of Michigan opponents and sent people to obtain video of the sideline signals used for calling in plays.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who served a three-game, university-imposed suspension earlier this season for an unrelated and still unresolved NCAA violations case tied to recruiting, has denied any knowledge or involvement in impermissible scouting of opponents. Michigan has declined to comment, citing an ongoing investigation.

CMU coach Jim McElwain served on Harbaugh's staff as a wide receivers coach during the 2018 season. McElwain was later hired by CMU in December 2018. 

CBS Sports has continuing coverage of the Michigan sign-stealing scandal here.