UNR police chief says fans may face battery charges for behavior after Nevada-UNLV game

Nevada fans who pulled off helmets, smacked, punched and pulled the hair of student athletes at the Nevada-UNLV game on Nov. 30 may be facing battery and assault charges. 

The University of Nevada, Reno released photos of four fans and asked the public to help identify those individuals from the game that ended in a brawl on the field. 

In an interview with the Reno Gazette Journal, University Police Chief Todd Renwick said the four men pictured in the photos shared by UNR on Tuesday do not appear to be students.

He said in the next few days additional fans who came into contact with student athletes on the field may also be identified. Their photos may be released to the public to help identify others. 

MORE:UNR asks community to help ID fans who 'interacted' with UNLV football players

"Why would a fan think it's OK to do that?"  Renwick said. "It's the $1 million question."

Renwick said since releasing the photos, there have been about a dozen tips, including a possible person who may be one of the men in the four photos. 

He said he is also encouraging those fans who may be in the photos to come forward

"It would say a lot to come forward and have that discussion," he said.

Renwick said he thought battery charges could be filed but other charges, including assault and disturbing the peace, may also be filed. 

Chief describes what happened after UNLV game

Renwick said in one case, a fan appears to grab the helmet off a player and then looks as if he is going to throw it back at the player before it is grabbed by a coach.

He said fans threw things from the stands and UNLV football players reported being hit with objects, including water bottles. 

No one sought medical care after the incident. 

Renwick said the situation was dangerous for players, coaches, staff and media on the field. 

He said between UNR security footage, TV cameras, team and fan videos, his office is reviewing everything carefully. 

High alert for upcoming Nevada-UNLV basketball games

He said in the past fans have thrown things, yelled obscenities and spit on players, but the Nov. 30 game was by far the most violent. 

He said UNR plans for the rivalry games with UNLV and will be on high alert when the two meet up in basketball in January. 

On Tuesday, four Nevada players were sanctioned by the Mountain West. 

The conference said in a statement that it prioritized reviewing Nevada’s part in the brawl due to the Wolf Pack playing in a bowl game.

For their roles in the postgame fighting, defense backs Austin Arnold and Daniel Brown, defensive lineman Hausia Sekona, and linebacker Gabriel Sewell were all in violation of the conference’s sportsmanship rule.

Nevada, UNLV ADs:Postgame brawl has 'no place in college athletics'

Siobhan McAndrew tells stories about the people of Northern Nevada and covers education in Washoe County. Read her journalism right here. Consider supporting her work by subscribing to the Reno Gazette Journal.