MAHONING VALLEY OSU football victory has fans proud, but rioting leaves them embarrassed

Several OSU fans said the Michigan game was the most emotional victory in Buckeye football history.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Local Ohio State University football fans say nothing can take away from the overwhelming joy they felt with the win over the University of Michigan that allows the Buckeyes to compete for the national title, but they are embarrassed by the post-game riots.
"They marred a fantastic day with unruly behavior," said Rocco Fumi of Canfield, who has attended every Buckeye home game in the past 41 years except one. "It's an embarrassment regardless of the number of students who participated."
Randy Brashen of Canfield, president of the 175-member Ohio State University Alumni Club of Mahoning County, said the post-game antics went overboard.
"Going to the goal post is one thing; it's a little bit mischievous," Brashen said. "But turning over cars and burning cars and Dumpsters, that's a black mark."
After the Buckeyes' victory, about 20 cars were flipped over, including nine set on fire, and there was looting. Police said that by Tuesday, they had arrested 54 people.
"It's getting to be an epidemic with any team that wins a big game," said Brashen, who attended Saturday's game. "It takes some of the glow away from victory. You should celebrate with class."
As local Buckeye faithful who were at the Michigan game point out, an overwhelming majority of the fans were well-behaved. It was a handful that are tarnishing the university's reputation, they say.
Football highlight
As for the game itself, several of those in attendance said it was the most emotional victory in Buckeyes' football history.
Not only is the Ohio State football team going to have the opportunity to play Jan. 3 in the Fiesta Bowl for the national championship, but it is a victory over hated rival Michigan that gets them there.
"It was the most poignant moment in Ohio State football history to have people hugging and singing the alma mater after the win," said Pete Morabito of Austintown, the Mahoning alumni club treasurer and chairman of the Ohio State University's Columbiana County extension office. "You can't take away from what was accomplished."
Atty. Jim Pazol of Liberty said he would have been on the field celebrating the huge win if his seats weren't so far away.
"It was one of the most exciting games I've ever seen," he said. "The win over Michigan was the capstone of the season."
The local fans praised Jim Tressel for his coaching skills and ability to get his team into the national championship game in only his second year on the job.
But, they say, it was not unexpected based on his success at Youngstown State University, where he led the Penguins to four Division I-AA national championships.
"Before this season, we told everyone that we had our faith in Mr. Tressel," Fumi said. "He raised the level of performance of the players. The frosting on the cake of this season is the team is led by Mr. Tressel. I've been watching Ohio State football since 1950, and this was the most exciting day of all the football games I've seen."
After so many years of near misses, Brashen said he is overwhelmed by the Buckeyes' success this year.
"It's a great time to be a Buckeye fan," he said. "You can't put into words the pain you have when you lose to that team up north [Michigan], and you can't put into words how sweet it is to beat them."
skolnick@vindy.com