There was Mike Hart in 2007.

And then there was Chase Winovich in 2018.

In 2024, Colston Loveland continued the trend of Michigan football players describing Michigan State as "little brother" after the 117th matchup between in-state rivals. The Wolverines beat the Spartans, 24-17, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

The teams fought on the field after the game ended, with Loveland in the middle of it.

WATCH: Michigan vs. Michigan State fight: 'Disappointing' clash breaks out after Wolverines win

"Little bro stay doing little bro things," Loveland told Big Ten Network immediately after the game. "MSU, the little bro. They can do whatever they want. We knew it was going to get chippy. Everything within the confines of the game, we do right, and then after the game, they want to get busy, we'll get busy."

Later on, Loveland addressed the fight again.

He headbutted Michigan State defensive lineman Anthony Jones, intensifying the scuffle.

"I kind of got carried away there at the end," Loveland told reporters. "Kind of did some shoving and stuff but you know that's how the rivalry gets. It's all just heat of the moment coming off two losses, really needed this one, so just kind of got excited. We respect every opponent we play, they are a great football team."

THE GAME: Michigan football unleashes bag of tricks to knock off Michigan State, 24-17

Loveland, whom Michigan head coach Sherone Moore compared to NFL superstar Travis Kelce, is projected as a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. He recorded six receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns against the Spartans, increasing his season-long totals to 411 yards and four touchdowns in seven games.

He missed the Sept. 21 game against USC with a shoulder injury.

Loveland has scored four touchdowns in his three-game career against Michigan State, all wins for the Wolverines. He didn't score in 2022, but he logged two touchdowns apiece in 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, Michigan State has scored just three touchdowns as an entire offense in the past three rivalry games.

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore wasn't pleased with the in-state rivals fighting on the field, though he seemed to think Jones headbutted Loveland.

In reality, Loveland headbutted Jones.

"I told the team it was unacceptable regardless of what happened and how it started," Moore told reporters. "There was guys chirping at us, and us responding. The guy headbutted Colston at the end. Our job to represent this university is not to respond to that, is to let the refs handle that. It's something that we'll handle internally and make sure we take care of. That's not Michigan football. That's not who we are."

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan tight end Colston Loveland calls Michigan State 'little bro'