With about 30 seconds left in the game, a wave of crazed fans rushed the field to celebrate the Buckeye’s long awaited victory over Michigan. There seemed to be little officials could do to prevent the flood of elated thousands, but those fans pushing towards the south goal posts met opposition from the police.”We were trying to pull down the goal post,” said Blake Money, an undecided junior. “When we all got near it, they started macing us. One of my friends got it directly in his face. I was right behind him.” The goal of University Police, along with joint efforts of the highway and sheriff patrols, was keeping the crowd safe, said John Kleberg, assistant vice president of business and administration and in charge of public safety. “There was a crowd on the south end trying to push towards the goal post and beyond,” Kleberg said. “The concern was that the people would get caught between the fence and bleachers beyond. The three short sprays of pepper spray in the air was used to break up the crowd.”Not everyone who was pepper sprayed was trying to pull down the goal posts. “There was this old man, about 80-years-old,” said Chris Delavega, a senior majoring in biology. “He was just trying to leave the field. He wanted nothing to do with it, but he got hit.”Some disagree with this use of force. “I don’t think they should of done it,” said Ryan Browder, a junior majoring in MIS. “I don’t think it was needed.” Students trying to pull down the goal posts also met opposition.”They tried to jump up and as soon as they got up, they were pulled down,” Long said.Some were disappointed they weren’t able to accomplish this feat. “I wanted to take that post down and march it down High Street,” Money said.Kleberg said they were trying to protect the goal posts, in part for the safety of the crowd. He noted serious injuries caused by goal posts being pulled down at other universities. No injuries were reported. The university did take other safety measures to keep up the poles. “They did grease the goal posts, but that’s not why they wouldn’t move,” said Jake Bragonier, a graduate assistant for Athletic Communications. “The goal posts are buried in 30 feet of concrete.” Some of those who rushed the field just wanted to get closer to the players.”We talked to them and touched them,” said Neeta Batheja, a sophomore majoring in business. “You just wanted to be there and feel what they were feeling. It was just the happiest moment.”Bragonier, who was in the press box, was awestruck by the mass of people.”Up top, it was unbelievable,” Bragonier said. “You could not see a thing, not a piece of green, from the 30 to the goal.”Like Batheja, most fans were just overjoyed.”I just wanted to join the celebration,” said Tom Lewis, a senior majoring in microbiology. “It was just because we finally beat Michigan.”This excitement possessed most of the fans. “There was nothing they could do to keep us off the field,” said Money.Many fans took pieces of sod from the field.”It was to commemorate the whole thing,” said Dave Long, a senior majoring in English.Despite any problems, most fans were glad they rushed the field.”It was a lot of fun,” said Dave Link, a senior majoring in accounting. “It was something I’ll never forget.”