Please remain calm

Columbus police hope to avoid postgame riots

Buckeyes fans back home erupted in celebration after the victory. AP

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio State fans at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe leaped into each other's arms, hugged and some even cried as Miami's final pass in the Fiesta Bowl fell incomplete.

"I feel wonderful," said Tom York, 40, of Columbus. "It was perfect."

The Buckeyes upset the top-ranked Hurricanes 31-24 in double overtime to give Ohio State its first national title since it won the 1969 Rose Bowl.

"This is awesome," said student Katie Grimm, 20. "Only Ohio State would make it a double-overtime play."

Meanwhile, Columbus police were hoping to prevent the rioting that broke out after Ohio State's 14-9 win over Michigan on Nov. 23. More than 60 people, including 16 students, were arrested after that game.

CNNSI.com's Stewart Mandel The fact that Ohio State won may have been surprising, but the way they pulled off another close call certainly wasn't. As the disappointed Hurricanes found out, it was the exact same way the Buckeyes have been doing it all year. FULL STORY Closer Look The pass fell incomplete. The 'Canes stormed the field in celebration. But a few seconds later, a flag fell on the floor as well. It was a pass interference call that kept Ohio State alive and will be talked about for years to come. FULL STORY Up in Smoke There would be no wide lefts to save Miami this time. For the first time in 34 games, the Hurricanes were besieged with bad luck in a stunning loss. FULL STORY Tough Enough All of the pregame talk centered on Ken Dorsey, but it was Craig Krenzel who lifted his team to victory with an array of clutch scrambles and key passes. FULL STORY Multimedia Photo Gallery: Fiesta Bowl Tressel: A 'fitting' title game Talent not enough for 'Canes Clarke: A truly testing finale Most Outstanding Players Ohio State Miami Craig Krenzel The junior signal-caller led the Buckeyes with 84 yards rushing, scoring on 1- and 7-yard runs. Kellen Winslow The stud tight end was unstoppable, catching 11 passes for 122 yards and a huge touchdown in overtime. More Stories SI Flashback: Fiesta Bowl Game draws record TV ratings McGahee needs knee surgery Ohio St. looks to repeat 'Canes take Fiesta loss hard Buckeyes top final AP poll Krenzel's crazy runs carry OSU Dorsey struggles in last start Clarett's strip stuns 'Canes Notebook: Flier fires up OSU Columbus hopes to avoid riots Complete Bowl Coverage

On Friday night, a few hundred people ran around campus after the win, but they were ordered by police to stay out of the streets.

"Right now, the crowds are pretty much responding to our order to vacate," police spokesman Sgt. Brent Mull said. "If they want to stay up on the sidewalk in their yards and whoop and holler a little bit, that's fine."

About 2,000 fans, many dressed in scarlet and gray, packed into the Buckeye Hall of Fame, which is filled with Ohio State memorabilia, and cheered every play.

Matt Lambert waved scarlet and gray pompons and danced around a banquet room at his wedding rehearsal dinner.

"Oh, baby! It doesn't get better than this," said Lambert, 23, who is getting married Saturday. "The wedding, we've got years to go on that. This is the most important night of my life now."

Columbus imposed a parking ban Friday on 11 streets east of campus where crowds overturned cars and set them on fire in November, and Mull said police in riot gear were in position as the end of the game neared.

"If you see a cop, you think twice about doing something," said Gavin McCord, 22, a senior from Granville. "I'm not worried about the riots. It's winter break. There are not many students around here."

Classes resume Monday, and most residence halls don't open until Sunday. The university had already removed the goalposts from Ohio Stadium at the end of the regular season. Fans unsuccessfully tried to tear them down after the Michigan game.

The Arena Grand movie theater in downtown Columbus showed the game on its two largest screens.

Cory and Mary Hupp, both 23, came from their home in Delaware instead of heading to campus.

"There's nowhere left to go on campus," Cory Hupp said.

In Cleveland, parties were more low-key, said Sandra Hunt, 50, a former Columbus resident who now lives in Bedford.

"In Columbus, the whole city shuts down," she said. "If Ohio State is playing, there's scarlet and gray everywhere. In Cleveland, not as much."

 

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