Will Ohio State, Michigan change security after last year's post-game fight? What we know
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It’s been nearly a year since police officers threatened college football players with tasers and used pepper spray to break up a brawl on the field after Ohio State dropped its fourth consecutive game to Michigan.
Are the schools taking extra precautions to stop a repeat? They’re mum on the details.
After Michigan beat the Buckeyes 13-10 on Nov. 30, 2024, the fight erupted as Michigan players mimed planting a flag on the Block O at midfield of Ohio Stadium.
Officers from Ohio State University Police Department, the University of Michigan Police Department and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office all used pepper spray while attempting to separate players. The skirmish lasted just a few minutes.
No arrests were made or citations given out by the sheriff’s department but each university was fined $100,000 by the Big Ten.
Michigan-OSU brawl: Video shows Michigan police officer used pepper spray at start of Buckeye-Wolverine fight
The next game kicks off Nov. 29 in Ann Arbor, so we asked each university about their security plans.
What are OSU, Michigan doing for security at the 2025 rivalry game?
OSU directed questions to Michigan, as the game is being played at Michigan Stadium. Dan Hedman, a spokesman for OSU, said university police don’t discuss their security protocols or staffing levels in detail.
Michigan spokesman Dave Ablauf the university increases staffing inside and outside of their stadium for the OSU game and other rivalry games. But he, declining to discuss specific security measures they use for football games.
At Michigan Stadium, players from both teams use the same tunnel to enter and exit the field. Ablauf said there are processes in place to keep the teams separate during pre-game, halftime and post-game. Security personnel are placed throughout the tunnel as well, he said.
Underserved Communities Reporter Danae King can be reached at dking@dispatch.com or on X at @DanaeKing.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State, Michigan mum on security plan after last year’s brawl
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