Texas’ Steve Sarkisian urges fans to exercise discretion after SEC fine

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday that the Texas Longhorns’ “passionate fan base” needs to exercise “better discretion” after the school was fined and threatened with further sanctions by the SEC.

Texas fans threw water bottles and trash onto the field in the third quarter of Saturday night’s loss to Georgia after an apparent pass interference penalty against the Longhorns. The game was briefly stopped for cleanup before the penalty was eventually overturned.

Sarkisian took to the field at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium to implore fans to stop throwing objects.

“I know we have a passionate fan base and I think that showed on Saturday night,” Sarkisian said Monday. “I think we were all a little upset at that moment. I just think we all need to exercise a little more discretion in moments like this.”

“We don’t want that to be the narrative of what DKR is about. It was too good a football game to be the focus of it all. I think they did it in the end.” [the penalty reversal] Right.”

School administrators and SEC officials condemned the fans’ actions Sunday.

The SEC fined Texas $250,000 and said the school must comply with requirements set by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, including using available resources to find and suspend fans who threw debris, the review the alcohol availability policy and submitting a report on the school’s findings to the SEC.

The SEC has not suspended alcohol sales in Texas, but said it could do so if the Longhorns fail to meet those requirements.

Texas released a joint statement from CEO Kevin Eltife, UT President Jay Hartzell and athletic director Chris Del Conte condemning the bottle throwing and apologizing to Georgia players and staff, the SEC and game officials.

“This type of behavior will not be tolerated,” the statement said. “We are committed to creating a positive environment for all participants, teams, officials and fans and we will take action to ensure this type of behavior does not occur again.”

Texas has not said what those steps will be.