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Football: Rushing the field
Riot gear against fans rushing the field after a big victory? It's a little much, don't you think?
Student gets jail for on-field attack
Posted: Wednesday June 14, 2006 11:55AM; Updated: Wednesday June 14, 2006 11:55AM
BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) -- A Penn State student who assaulted a police officer as students rushed the field after a dramatic victory over Ohio State was sentenced to at least four months in prison, but will be immediately eligible for work release.
The judge wondered aloud Tuesday about Nathan G. Lehman's behavior given his "unblemished background." Lehman, a 19-year-old engineering student from Mechanicsburg, was described as religious and a nondrinker.
In court Tuesday, Lehman said he was at an emotional breaking point after a difficult breakup with his girlfriend and two sleepless nights camped outside the stadium before the Oct. 8 game with rival Ohio State.
"I probably came as close to snapping as I ever did," Lehman testified. "I was definitely at a raw emotional state."
He said he attacked university police officer Cyprien Brien to "take one for the team," apparently referring to students surrounding him in the stands -- including fellow members of the Reformed University Fellowship.
Lehman, who pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, rushed onto the field to tackle Brien, punched him in the face and put him in a sustained headlock that left him with bruised neck ligaments, authorities said.
Judge Bradley P. Lunsford sentenced Lehman to four to 231/2 months at the Centre County Correctional Facility and a $1,000 fine. He will be immediately eligible for work release.
"You could have drawn on a lifetime of good decision-making ... but you chose to ignore that," Lunsford said. "You did more than attack a police officer. You attacked a community, and the community will not stand for that."
After Penn State's 17-10 win over the Buckeyes, an estimated 2,000 fans rushed the field in celebration and stayed there for 20 minutes. Police in riot gear finally massed on the field, lined up from sideline to sideline starting at the 10-yard line and moved toward students and alumni, coaxing them off the field.
Posted: Wednesday June 14, 2006 11:55AM; Updated: Wednesday June 14, 2006 11:55AM
BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) -- A Penn State student who assaulted a police officer as students rushed the field after a dramatic victory over Ohio State was sentenced to at least four months in prison, but will be immediately eligible for work release.
The judge wondered aloud Tuesday about Nathan G. Lehman's behavior given his "unblemished background." Lehman, a 19-year-old engineering student from Mechanicsburg, was described as religious and a nondrinker.
In court Tuesday, Lehman said he was at an emotional breaking point after a difficult breakup with his girlfriend and two sleepless nights camped outside the stadium before the Oct. 8 game with rival Ohio State.
"I probably came as close to snapping as I ever did," Lehman testified. "I was definitely at a raw emotional state."
He said he attacked university police officer Cyprien Brien to "take one for the team," apparently referring to students surrounding him in the stands -- including fellow members of the Reformed University Fellowship.
Lehman, who pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, rushed onto the field to tackle Brien, punched him in the face and put him in a sustained headlock that left him with bruised neck ligaments, authorities said.
Judge Bradley P. Lunsford sentenced Lehman to four to 231/2 months at the Centre County Correctional Facility and a $1,000 fine. He will be immediately eligible for work release.
"You could have drawn on a lifetime of good decision-making ... but you chose to ignore that," Lunsford said. "You did more than attack a police officer. You attacked a community, and the community will not stand for that."
After Penn State's 17-10 win over the Buckeyes, an estimated 2,000 fans rushed the field in celebration and stayed there for 20 minutes. Police in riot gear finally massed on the field, lined up from sideline to sideline starting at the 10-yard line and moved toward students and alumni, coaxing them off the field.
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