In response to the violent celebration at Beaver Stadium after the Georgia Tech game more than two weeks ago, University officials have decided to take down the goal posts before tomorrow's game at the University of Southern California.

"We think that the big issue for the campus was the presence of the goal post in the stadium," said Thomas Harmon, director of University Police Services. "Hopefully, once they are not there, there is no incentive to climb and break down the fence of Beaver Stadium."

There will also be more University police officers on call for Saturday's game, Harmon said.

The University has been concerned about student behavior since the Aug. 28 celebration at the stadium following Penn State's 34-22 victory against Georgia Tech.

About 1,000 students stormed Beaver Stadium and damaged the north goal post while trying to take it down. Damages to the stadium and to nearby police cars totaled more than $2,000.

University officials also recalled last November's gathering of more than 1,200 students following the Lions' 24-21 victory over Notre Dame when making the decision.

"After what's happened the last two road victories -- Notre Dame and Georgia Tech -- we felt it was a wise decision," said L. Budd Thalman, sports information director. "That isn't a pre-judgment on the outcome of the game, just a precaution."

This past week, athletic department officials contacted members of stadium operations and University police to discuss the dangers of unruly fan behavior.

"(The goalposts) present a hazard. They're too large to come out of the stadium," said Dave Stormer, assistant vice president of safety and environmental services.

Stormer added that because the goal posts are too large to remove from the stadium, fans will break them apart and pass the pieces up into the stands. This is an added danger to the fans outside the stadium, he said.

"That's a significant velocity when you drop a piece of steel off the stadium," Stormer said.

Bill Mahon, director of public information, said that the removal of the goal posts was the best choice.

"This seemed the prudent thing to do," Mahon said. "There is a great potential for people to get hurt."

Officials were also concerned with the financial costs of violent student gatherings at the stadium.

While total figures for the stadium damage after the Georgia Tech game have not been released, Mahon said that it costs more to repair damaged goal posts than it does to have them removed from the stadium.

Mahon also said that 19 students from the August celebration have been referred to the Office of Conduct Standards.