and Rudolph took exception to it and responded. (you can see #71 an, OL raising his arms in the video at Garretts initial play)

Rudolph escalated it by responding to the initial late hit/personal foul. That type of late hit will draw a flag I think in pretty much every situation throughout the year when done to a qb, although with it being the end of the game I don't know if they'd call one there. But no, I definitely dont think Rudloph started it, he responded to a personal foul IMO.