Ohio State football has triumphed, and now its fans have taken over.

The Buckeyes clinched the national football championship on Monday, leading to a spirited celebration at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, that lasted into the early morning hours. Many enthusiastic fans gathered to storm the field after Ohio State’s victory over Notre Dame with a score of 34-23, as reported by the Columbus Dispatch, despite the cold temperatures across the region. A chorus of “O-H,” “I-O” filled the air as they made their way to “The Horseshoe,” successfully breaching the gates of the iconic stadium.

Social media captured the moment: groups of fans, some waving flags and others dressed for the weather — with a few even shirtless — filmed their journey through the stadium tunnels before charging onto the field. Observers noted that even police officers joined the celebratory atmosphere, snapping photos for the excited fans celebrating the Buckeyes’ first national championship since 2014.

“It’s wild. I didn’t expect the police to be so supportive,” Natalie Freihammer, an Ohio State senior who joined in the festivities, shared with The Columbus Dispatch.

The Scarlet and Gray experienced a significant turnaround in the last couple of months, bouncing back from a loss to Michigan in their last regular-season game. They went on to win four straight games, ultimately securing the top spot in college football following the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. The defeat by the Wolverines had led to increased scrutiny surrounding head coach Ryan Day, as disappointment lingered into the Buckeyes’ playoff opener against Tennessee, where many Volunteers’ fans were also present.

However, Ohio State’s championship run quieted those criticisms, and fans eagerly welcomed the team back from Atlanta on Tuesday. An official celebration is scheduled with the team and supporters at Ohio Stadium on Sunday at 12 p.m. ET, as announced by the university’s athletic department. Admission and parking will be free, with more information to come later this week.

“There were times when many counted us out,” Day remarked following Monday’s victory, “but we kept pushing through and fighting.”

Perhaps some of those skeptics found themselves among the throngs of fans storming Ohio Stadium after witnessing what this team’s success has portrayed.