Police: Crowd riots following Penn State win

Thousands of excited fans were given a reason to rally Saturday night, thanks to Penn State’s dramatic come-from-behind win over Wisconsin to claim the Big Ten title.

But much like the riots that took place after the Nittany Lions’ upset win over then-No. 2 Ohio State in October, police were forced into action in downtown State College to disperse the large crowd of students once it became unruly.

Officials had asked students not to riot if the team won the Big Ten championship, posting a letter to the school’s website on Thursday saying any arrests or damage to public property would “spoil the accomplishment” by the football team.

So when students began to amass, State College police labeled their actions an “unlawful disturbance” and warned then to leave or be subject to arrest.

That wasn’t just an idle threat. PennLive reporter Elijah Hermitt was on hand filming the action, and captured video of students fleeing as officers used pepper spray to break up the crowd.

According to State College police Lt. Bradley Smail, there were some arrests, and although a final count won't be available until today, he said no students were arraigned.

Riots after the Ohio State game led to 13 arrests, including five students who were charged with felonies for rioting. The crowd caused an estimated $30,000 in damage.

Lt. Smail said that much like the October incident, the crowd caused significant damage to public and private property. A photo by a reporter with the Daily Collegian, the school’s student newspaper, showed the former location of Canyon Pizza, whose front window was smashed during the victory riot.

She also captured a shot of a bus stop where students shattered the stop’s glass, as well as road signs being torn down.