Texas was fined $250,000 by the SEC for fans who threw objects onto the field after a controversial call

Texas was fined 0,000 by the SEC for fans who threw objects onto the field after a controversial call

Texas faces financial consequences for its fans’ behavior during the Longhorns’ loss to Georgia on Saturday night.

Texas fans threw objects onto the field with less than three minutes left in the third quarter after officials called Jahdae Barron pass interference after Barron made an interception. The SEC announced Sunday that Texas will be fined $250,000 and that anyone who throws something onto the field will be banned from attending a sporting event in Texas for the remainder of the school year.

“The throwing of debris and resulting disruption of play that occurred Saturday evening cannot be part of an SEC event,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “The SEC is delegated by its members the responsibility to enforce its sports and game management policies, and these actions are consistent with that oversight responsibility, including financial penalties and mandatory reviews.”

The situation was one of the most bizarre penalty-related cases in recent college football history. While the field was cleared of debris, the officials conferred and decided that the pass interference penalty should be waived and Texas should keep the ball. The Longhorns scored two plays later, cutting Georgia’s lead to 23-15, but the Bulldogs won 30-15.

In the hours after the game, Georgia administrators said they wanted answers from the SEC about the process of overturning the call. In a statement posted on social media, athletic director Josh Brooks said he wanted to know when officials realized the call was wrong.

It is my privilege and duty to serve the University of Georgia, and part of that responsibility is advocating for my coaches, student-athletes, staff and the entire Dawg Nation.

As proud as I am of our team’s determination, I’m also disappointed and frustrated in some areas…

— Josh Brooks (@Brooks_UGA) October 20, 2024

“What I cannot accept is the manner in which this specific call was reversed,” Brooks wrote. “The official claimed he made a mistake on the call. My question is when did he notice the mistake? If it was before the delay caused by fans throwing objects onto the pitch, then what prevented him from doing so before the main official made the announcement and discovered the error?

The SEC said there are additional guidelines Texas must follow as part of its punishment for the items thrown onto the field. If the conference determines that Texas is not adequately meeting these obligations, it has the right to revoke the school’s permission to sell alcohol at sporting events.

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