Not content to celebrate the Buckeyes' national championship victory in the close quarters of their dorm rooms, Ohio State students flooded the streets of frigid Columbus, setting couches on fire and storming the school's football stadium. .
It was in Atlanta where the Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 34-23, on Monday night to capture the school's sixth national championship and first since 2020.
But it was in central Ohio where the real celebration occurred, as videos on social media revealed hordes of Buckeyes fans clad in scarlet and gray making their way toward the gates of Ohio Stadium, better known as 'The Horseshoe.'
A viral video shows a large group of young people wearing sweatshirts and replica t-shirts attempting to break into the stadium grounds with a handful of police officers standing on the other side of the iron gate. The crowd initially appeared frustrated in this attempt, but later videos on social media showed hundreds of students jumping on The Shoe field.
“It's really kind of surreal,” said Thomas Schmnasky, a freshman. told The Columbus Dispatch after finding his way into the field.
Dispatch video shows hundreds of fans running across the stadium concourse and then down onto the field. There didn't appear to be much, if any, property damage.
Channel 10 of Colón shows images of Buckeyes fans trying to make their way to The Horseshoe after Ohio State's national championship win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Hundreds of Ohio State students and fans headed to Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
Ohio State Buckeyes players celebrate after winning the national championship
Curiously, the police present at the scene did not seem to put up much resistance.
“It's crazy,” Natalie Freihammer, a senior, told The Dispatch. “I was surprised that the police were so supportive.”
Chants of 'OH' and 'IO' were heard across campus on Monday in what was described as a largely peaceful scene.
So far no arrests have been reported, but several sofas have been set on fire in the city streets.
“It's a great story about a group of guys that just got through some really tough situations, and at the point where there's a lot of people that counted us out (they) just kept swinging and fighting,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said. . he said after winning his first title since replacing Urban Meyer as head coach.
As for the school's official celebration, it will also take place at The Horseshoe. OSU has announced the festivities scheduled for Sunday at noon local time.
There likely won't be a parade, as the school didn't host one for its last two NCAA crowns, according to The Dispatch.