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Students Rally In Beaver Canyon After Knocking Off No. 2 Ohio State

Penn State just beat Ohio State, the No. 2 team in the country. Yes, you read that right.

So what do you do if you’re a student on a Saturday night and a fan of the team that just won its first signature game under James Franklin, and therefore the first signature win in your undergraduate career? Storm the field, obviously.

Not at the game? You sprint to Beaver Avenue and rally in the Canyon.

Minutes after Penn State’s defense took down J.T. Barrett and Trace McSorley took the ball to a knee, students poured into the streets. Immediately after the game’s conclusion, there were at least 250 students already filling in, with hundreds coming soon after.

Much like any rally, there was mattress surfing, cowbells, and Penn State fight songs. Students in a Cedarbrook apartment broke out the speakers and played “Sweet Caroline” loud enough for the whole Canyon to sing along.

The rally had the most participants — and vandalism — since the rallies that ensued in 2011 when Joe Paterno was fired.

Police shut down the street and they currently have a barricade set up at the intersection of Pugh Street and Beaver Ave. There are police, ambulance, and other authorities lining the street and blocking of the road. In an attempt to keep things clear, Penn State sent out a Timely Warning alert saying only “Keep roadways clear for safety. Do not congregate. #psu #pennstate.”

It obviously didn’t have any effect. As more and more people congregated, things started to get a little out of control. At the time of publication, we saw (and surely there was more):

  • Tear down the Locust Lane street sign
  • Mattress surf
  • Rock and shatter the a light post on the street
  • Tear down the Downtown State College sign
  • Throw couches into the street
  • Trees knocked down and tree branches bent and scattered

ohio state rally 2016

As soon as the rally started, police broke out the pepper spray. Multiple students had to leave the street with their heads in their hands and their eyes stinging.

riots 2016 ohio state
Students squint after getting pepper spray to the eyes. (Photo: Steffen Blanco)

Officers wearing riot gear stood in the middle of Beaver Ave in some places and off to the side in others. At 12:54 a.m., Penn State sent out another alert.

police stock rally ohio state

As of 1:15 a.m., students are clearing Beaver Ave and College Ave is dead (or, as dead as it can be after Penn State beats No. 2 Ohio State).

With one of the biggest wins of the last five years and and James Franklin’s first signature win in the books, students are expected to celebrate all night and into tomorrow.

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About the Author

Lexi Shimkonis

Lexi is an editor-turned-staff writer who can often be found at either Irving's or the Phyrst (with the chances she'll have her backpack being the same). Lexi is a senior hailing from Spring City, PA (kind of) and studying Civil Engineering. Please email questions and/or pleas for an Instagram caption to [email protected], or for a more intimate bond, follow her on Twitter @lexshimko.

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