After holding its breath throughout two overtime periods of the Fiesta Bowl, the city of Columbus and the university let out a collective sigh of relief following a relatively calm celebration Saturday morning.
Cheers rang out from the east residential area as time expired in the second overtime. “Across the Field” and “Hang on Sloopy” blared from homes, fireworks were set off from off-campus homes and numerous “OH-IO” chants were heard on the streets.
Eventually, many people in the campus area made their way to High Street to congratulate one another with high-fives and encourage passing cars to honk their horns. A crowd of about 100 people converged at 15th Avenue and High Street and chanted “No. 1” repeatedly.
Shortly after, at about 1 a.m., police closed High Street to car traffic between 11th Avenue and Lane Avenue. At one point police cruisers filled High Street for several blocks. Police re-opened High Street to traffic shortly after 2 a.m.
“There was a 20-person pile up in my living room after the game was over. All the years of frustration and losses to Michigan finally ended. This was our year,” said Nick Damman, a senior in sport and leisure studies.
“It was the best night of my life,” he said.
Parties were much smaller than those following the Michigan game — largely because residence halls were not open and the game was not held in Columbus.
“I just hung-out with some friends and watched the game from their house off-campus,” said Andrea Moss, a junior in psychology and political science. “The most chaotic it got was people tackling each other after we won.”
The Columbus Division of Police made their presence known around campus. About 300 officers monitored the area, which was 50 more than following the Michigan game. Police were also stationed around the area Saturday night to prevent any disturbances.
In addition, a parking ban on most of the streets east of campus was in place all weekend to prevent any destruction.
Reports from the Columbus Division of Police show 14 arrests were made in the campus area following the game. Most were for alcohol violations.
A few other minor disturbances were reported following the Buckeyes’ victory over Miami — a Dumpster was set on fire at 13th Avenue and High Street and several other small fires were reported around campus.
At his arrival at Port Columbus airport on Saturday from Tempe, Ariz., Mayor Michael B. Coleman said he was proud of the Buckeyes and their fans.
“We’ve got the best team in the nation, the best university in the nation and the best city in the nation,” he said.
OSU President Karen A. Holbrook and Coleman said plans are in the work for an official victory celebration.
Local retailers were prepared for a Buckeye victory.
Kathi Mertz, soft goods buyer at SBX said they were sold-out or nearly sold-out of all of their national championship merchandise, but that the store would continue to receive new shipments throughout the week.
