The Ohio State administration is sending a clear message to Buckeye fans thinking about rushing the field after a potential win against arch rival Michigan: don’t mess around.

With OSU’s national championship hopes on the line, fans could display their emotions by storming the field if they win.

Rushing the field has become a time-honored tradition in college football for fans celebrating victory with a release of excitement. Last week, a postgame incident occurred at Marshall that has the college football world concerned. After the Thundering Herd’s game against Miami, a fan was struck by a member of the Redhawk coaching staff on the field of play.

OSU athletic director Andy Geiger said he understands postgame celebrations are as much a part of college football as the game itself.

“Fans need to think carefully about their actions and the considerable safety risk involved with rushing the field,” Geiger said. “Thousands of people running onto the field can pose an incredible threat to the players as well as the fans.”

OSU fans have not rushed the field since their victory over Michigan in 1998. In 1968, Buckeye supporters carried the goalposts out of the stadium and down High Street after a win over the Wolverines in OSU’s last official national championship season.

Game-day security looked prepared for a postgame celebration after the Penn State game earlier this season. Armed officers surrounded the perimeter of the football field late in the fourth quarter to prevent a scene like the one that transpired earlier this season at the University of Connecticut. There, university police utilized pepper spray to stop fans from tearing down the goalposts.

University Police Chief Ron Michalec said he is confident students will behave appropriately if the Buckeyes win Saturday.

“The last thing anybody needs is for a violent celebration to tarnish the special moments taking place on the field,” Michalec said. “Sometimes fans feel the need to become a part of the game and get involved. Fans should realize that they can enjoy their team’s success in a healthy manner.”

Some Buckeye fans have their hearts set on celebrating a victory against Michigan with the players. Sean Radigan, a senior in civil engineering, intends on rushing the field when the clock runs out.

“There is absolutely no doubt that I will be on that field if the Buckeyes win,” Radigan said.

Kelly Heenan, a senior in human ecology, agreed.

“All my life, I’ve wanted to celebrate a national championship berth on the field while singing Carmen Ohio with the players. If we get the chance, I’m jumping over the police to get to the field,” she said.

Regardless of fan enthusiasm, Geiger does not want a repeat of last week’s incident at Marshall.

“First and foremost, the fans represent the institution with their actions after games, win or lose. It would be unfortunate if the behavior of a few unruly people would put a black mark on the best fans in football,” Geiger said.

At a press conference Monday, Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr expressed his concern about a hectic postgame celebration.

“I hope we’re not going to have somebody killed before we do the things that are necessary to protect those people,” Carr said. “If we can’t protect the students, the players and the coaches, then we shouldn’t be playing.”

Geiger said security personnel will be in place in and around the stadium, surrounding the team’s benches, guarding Michigan’s bus and making sure both teams get in and out of the stadium safely

Although it is against police policy to disclose specific security procedures, Michalec said his squad is prepared for whatever method of celebration the fans choose.

“Although we can’t control human behavior, we can do our best to reduce the safety risk for the fans and the players,” Michalec said. “We are confident that the fans will act accordingly after the Buckeyes get the job done.”