Ohio State University and the University of Michigan do not have a written agreement in place that governs how out-of-state police officers can operate during an Ohio State football game.
On Saturday, multiple officers from Michigan and Ohio used pepper spray to break up a brawl between Ohio State and Michigan football players after the game was officially over.
Ohio State sought any agreement or contract between the two schools that dictates how out-of-state police officers can operate in Ohio Stadium through a public records request.
Ohio State spokesman Dan Hedman said in a statement there is no documentation that exists formalizing an agreement between OSU and out-of-state police agencies. Hedman said there’s only a verbal agreement that grants University of Michigan police permission to act in a security role for visiting coaches and teams.
Hedman also said this type of verbal agreement is common in college athletics. Hedman added that the same courtesy is extended to Ohio State when its officers travel with the Buckeyes.
The University of Michigan does not have law enforcement jurisdiction under the verbal agreement.
Despite not having that jurisdiction, at least one University of Michigan police officer used pepper spray when breaking up the fight at Ohio Stadium. The officer aimed directly at the face of an Ohio State player who was not wearing a helmet.
Ohio State did not say what guidelines or rules the out-of-state officers are expected to follow. The University of Michigan did not respond to a request for comment.
Ohio State University Head Coach Ryan Day addressed the media during a Wednesday signing day news conference.
Day said he was “in shock” after losing to rival Michigan for the fourth straight year, and he is looking to the College Football Playoff as a chance to redeem himself and his team.
“There’s no way to defend losing four years in a row,” Day said. “But I know this: We’re going to play really hard in this game. We’re going to swing as hard as we possibly can.”
To make matters worse after the loss, a postgame brawl started after jubilant Michigan players tried to plant their flag in the middle of the block O at midfield, raising the ire of Buckeyes players. Police had to use pepper spray to get the teams apart. The Big Ten Conference subsequently fined each school $100,000.
Ohio State police are still investigating the use of pepper spray by University of Michigan police and other law enforcement agencies after Saturday’s game.
